Search

Understanding the competition and coexistence of flagship carnivores is key to creating strategies for their conservation in the face of global carnivore declines. Although studies exploring the dynamics and competition between tigers (Panthera tigris) and leopards (P. pardus) span decades, there is a lack of understanding regarding the factors that influence their coexistence mechanisms on a broad scale, as well as the drivers determining their exploitative and interference competition. We gathered a comprehensive list of research papers among which 36 papers explored the interspecific interactions between tigers and leopards and tested the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the coexistence mechanisms along three dimensions using multiple response variables regression models; we also tested the influence of ecological drivers determining the exploitative or interference competition between tigers and leopards. Elevation and ungulate density were the most important predictors in regulating the coexistence mechanisms. Tigers and leopards exhibited more positive relations/higher overlaps as elevation increased in the spatial niche. In addition, they showed a higher dietary overlap in the prey‐rich regions. We determined that interference competition between tigers and leopards was less frequently observed in habitats with dense tree cover and homogeneous vegetation structures. Meanwhile, studies with multiple metrics would promote the detection of interference competition. Our study provides new insight into the competitive interactions and coexistence mechanisms of tigers and leopards on a broad scale. Policy‐makers and managers should pay more attention to the factors of elevation, prey abundance, and habitat structures for the conservation of tigers and leopards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating a high‐fidelity railroad station model to match the physical details of hundreds of tracks and switches is never a trivial task. The manual modeling approach often costs engineers significant efforts and constrains the generality and extensivity of many advanced methods. Taking advantage that many stations are drawn proportionally into two‐dimensional drawing exchange format (DXF) files via state‐of‐the‐art computer‐aided design (CAD) techniques, this paper proposed an efficient solution to convert DXF files into meaningful station models. The proposed solution consists of two phases (1) converting graphic basic primitives without explicit engineering interpretations into recognizable railroad symbols and (2) modeling undirected railroad station graphs with necessary configurations such as endpoints and routes. The proposed solution is developed into a graphic user interface application with minimal user interactions and subsequently tested at several real‐world passenger stations in Asia for its validity, productivity, and applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a stochastic susceptible‐infective‐recovered‐susceptible (SIRS) model with density‐dependent demographics is proposed to study the dynamics of transmission of infectious diseases under stochastic environmental fluctuations. We demonstrate that the position of the basic reproduction number R0s$R_0^s$ with respect to 1 is the threshold between extinction and persistence of the disease under mild extra conditions. That is, under mild extra conditions, when R0s<1$R_0^s<1$, the disease is eradicated with probability 1; when R0s>1$R_0^s>1$, the disease is persistent almost surely and the Markov process has a unique stationary distribution and is polynomial ergodic. As an application, we use the 2017 influenza A data from Western Asia to estimate the parameter values of the model and based on that investigate the effect of random noises on the dynamics of the model. Our study reveals that the basic reproduction number R0s$R_0^s$ is negatively correlated with the noise intensity for the infected but positively correlated with that for the susceptible population, which are different from the findings obtained in the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares 'high-impact' papers from China, Japan, India and Korea in 2012, together with papers from these countries in Cell, Nature, and Science (CNS) from 2010 to 2012. China leads on 'highly cited' and 'hot' papers in 2012, while Japan has the highest number in CNS (653), followed by China (471), Korea (131) and India (83). Although China published more high-impact papers in 2012, papers published in CNS were at a relatively low level, which appears to show that while some of the research in China is at a relatively high level, this is not entirely reflected in the number of papers in these 'elite' journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive relative humidity (RH) in combination with high temperature can lead to heat stress, often measured by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). The Clausius‐Clapeyron (CC) relationship implies that warming reduces RH if no extra moisture is added. Over coastal regions like eastern Asia, however, the predominant summer monsoon favours increased moisture transport from surrounding oceans as a result of enhanced evaporation driven by surface temperature increase. This would lessen the RH reduction by potentially two‐thirds. Based on two ensembles of climate model simulations, this paper examines the competing effects of near‐surface temperature, humidity and circulation patterns in this region and the consequential health risks. Under a high emissions scenario (RCP8.5/SSP5‐8.5), surface temperature could increase by 4 – 7°C with WBGT increases of several degrees by the end of the 21st century. Devastating extreme heat health events could therefore become a frequent occurrence as a result. Overall, our results show how humidity can be just as important as temperature when considering the risks to society of excessive heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of intra‐Asian labour migration is regulated on the basis of governing tools that aim at managing cross‐border movement of workers on a strictly temporary, employer‐tied basis. The key elements involved in the operationalization of strictly temporary migration are recruitment, remittances and return; these three 'Rs' are also central to global policy discussions around the migration‐development nexus. The core premise of this paper is that this strict framework results in a particular form of migrant precarity which in turn shapes migrant transnationality, leaving migrants with severely circumscribed labour agency. This leads to the argument that temporary migration paradigm as practiced in much of Asia constitutes involuntary transnationalism. The paper ends by arguing that based on proactive migrant rights activism, the involuntary character of transnationalism is being challenged by bringing a different set of 'Rs' into the discussion derived from global social policy and global justice perspectives: regulation, redistribution and rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preexisting political institutions influence governments' responses to public health crises in different ways, creating national variations. This article investigates how state capacity, a country's fundamental ability to organize bureaucracy and allocate societal resources, affects the timing and configuration of governments' COVID‐19 policy responses. Through comparative case study analysis of five of China's neighboring countries early in the COVID‐19 crisis, the paper shows that more‐capable states (Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan) initiated crisis response faster, mobilized national resources more extensively, and utilized diverse policy tools when the virus risk level was still low. In contrast, low‐capacity states (Thailand and Indonesia) were more reactive in handling the crisis, limited their focus to border‐related measures, and were more constrained in the types of tools they could employ. The paper points to the importance of studying the COVID‐19 response process rather than the outcome (i.e., confirmed cases/deaths) when unpacking the impacts of political institutions in public health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a chronic mood illness that typically develops in the first few months after giving birth. It affects 17.2% of women worldwide, and its deleterious consequences on infants, children, and mothers have elicited global public concern. Therefore, this paper aims to present an overview of the relationship between emotional support and PPD among postpartum mothers in the Asia region. Methods: An extensive search using various keywords was conducted in Science Direct, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, JSTOR, Springer Link, and Taylor Francis. The screening process was compliant with the PRISMA guideline, while the quality of the selected studies was assessed using the QuADS tool. Results: The analysis included 15 research from 12 different countries with 6031 postpartum mothers. A decreased risk of PPD for postpartum mothers is shown to be significantly correlated with greater emotional support, and vice versa. Discussion: Asian women are less likely to seek emotional assistance than other mothers, which is influenced by culture. There needs to be more research on the impact of culture on postpartum mothers' emotional support. Additionally, this review hopes to raise awareness among the mothers' friends and family as well as the medical community to be more attentive to postpartum mothers' emotional needs and offer specialized assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of international and collaborative publication trends in prominent behavior‐analytic journals has been a topic of interest for behavioral researchers. This paper focuses on publication trends from 1997 through 2020 in three prominent journals: Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB), Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA), and Perspectives on Behavior Science (PBS). The variable of interest was the percentage of articles published per geographical category—Australasia/East Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, North America, and Africa. The results showed that 79, 96, and 87% of the published articles in JEAB, JABA, and PBS, respectively, were conducted by researchers with a North American affiliation. Furthermore, 12, 4, and 4% of the articles in JEAB, JABA, and PBS, respectively, were coauthored by at least two researchers from different geographical categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT: This article is linked to Song et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17963 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17983 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT: This article is linked to Song et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17963 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17999 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to provide an update on the current scientific understanding of various aspects of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) formation, diagnostic procedures, transmission, ecological effects, pathophysiology and management strategies. In terms of production and financial benefits, the WSSV has been the most virulent in shrimp and several other crustacean sectors around the globe. It spreads vertically from diseased broodstock to post‐larvae and horizontally by cannibalism, invertebrate vectors, freshwater and sediments. In the transfer of white spot disease (WSD) in newly stocked ponds, the survivability of WSSV in sediment is the most important variable. In typical cultural conditions, it is a highly infectious pathogen capable of inflicting total death within 3–10 days after an outbreak. Some of the current biosecurity strategies used to keep diseases out of shrimp ponds such as pond water disinfection, quarantine of new stocks before stocking and broader usage of specific pathogen‐free shrimp. The sequencing and characterisation of various WSSV strains have provided details about pathogen biology, pathogenicity and disease. To develop successful control methods, knowledge of these characteristics is essential. In several shrimp‐producing countries in Asia and the Americas, the infections produced by the WSSV have had disastrous socio‐economic consequences. As a result of international trade or migration of diseased species, the World Animal Health Organization recognised several illnesses as posing a substantial hazard to farmed shrimp. WSD is receiving much scientific research due to the potential economic effects of the virus. Research is now being done to understand better the molecular biology and pathophysiology of WSSV, as well as how to treat and prevent the virus. However, further study should be conducted in countries with more resilient host species to understand their role in mitigating disease impacts since these revelations may aid in developing a WSD treatment. The goal of this paper is to focus the molecular techniques reported till now to detect WSSV on shrimp more conveniently. Moreover, the implication of biosecurity measures to control and prevent WSSV on shrimp also mentioned along with the latest prevention application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID‐19 has revealed the policy capacity of some governance institutions, both resilience and vulnerability. Hence, this circumstance has demanded public administration scholars and practitioners to rethink the existing governance practices, particularly in making effective crisis‐related policies. This paper reviewed primary and secondary studies exploring the application of policy capacity competencies in facilitating COVID‐19 handling in Asia. In achieving so, we did a systematic literature review of relevant studies published between January and October 2020. Applying the agreed search term to several databases, we found 2541 studies, while merely 30 were included for review. Findings from the studies are predominantly closely linked to operational capacity (n = 21). Other studies are related to political and analytical capacity (n = 14 and 7, retrospectively). We found that there are some dilemmas and inadequacy of understanding concerning the role of features in certain capacities (such as technology use versus individual privacy, the paradox of trust and legitimacy, or centralisation versus decentralisation), particularly in the time of crisis, which is a calling for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small pelagic fishes are used for human consumption, fishmeal and fish oil. They constitute 25% of global fish catch and have been of considerable conservation concern because of their intermediate position in aquatic food webs, often being a dominant dietary component of marine predators. This paper provides an overview of trends in abundance and fishing pressure on small pelagic fish stocks from single‐species scientific assessments that constitute 60% of global small pelagic catch. While most individual stocks have exhibited wide variability in abundance (typical of small pelagics compared with other fish taxa), across stocks there has been remarkable stability in average fishing pressure and biomass since 1970. On average, since 1970, the biomass of assessed small pelagic stocks is estimated to have been slightly above the biomass that would produce maximum sustainable yield, but estimation of this quantity for highly fluctuating stocks is quite uncertain. There were significant differences among assessed regions, with the Mediterranean and Black Sea of greatest concern for high and growing fishing pressure. The 40% of global small pelagic fish catch not covered by single‐species quantitative stock assessments since 1970 comes largely from Asia, where catches have continued to increase. At regional levels, the average abundance of assessed small pelagic fish is largely unrelated to average fishing pressure, which we argue results both from the portfolio effect, where numerous stocks fluctuate with little correlation in abundance, and from the short life span of small pelagics coupled with recruitment largely independent of spawning abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and organizational outcomes has mainly been studied at the organizational level so far. However, HRM scholars acknowledge that employees are the foundation of organizations, and they play an important role in the effect of HRM on employee and organizational outcomes. While research on HR content focuses on the effects of HR practices, HR process research considers how employee perceptions and attributions of HR influence organizational outcomes. In the special issue of New Frontiers in HR Practices and HR Processes: Evidence from Asia, we focus on emerging research in the Asian region, especially China and Pakistan regarding the role of employees, also known as the micro‐foundations of HR research, in terms of both HR content and HR process. In this Introduction of the special issue, we review the current state‐of‐the‐art studies in both research streams and highlight further research questions. We outline how the papers in this special issue advance our knowledge for the Asian region and we also call for more Asian region HR practice and HR process studies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we leverage on a case study about the governance of groundwater and the hazard of land subsidence in Yunlin, Taiwan, to address the state's political strategies of producing 'hydro‐social territories'. Our goal is to examine how local agents and their knowledge of the socio‐technological system shape groundwater use, with particular attention on how that system has changed due to the governmentalized regulation of groundwater resources as a means to mitigate land subsidence. Drawing from the local agrarian development and its tube well irrigation networks that underlie the groundwater‐scape in this research, the paper demonstrates that the 'hydro‐social territory' itself is complicated, as local farmers who rely on groundwater are never fully controlled by the state, regardless of whether or not they use groundwater for agricultural cultivation or other purposes, yet at the same time, the intention of governmentalizing the local groundwater regime is concealed and has become more concrete with the introduction of new sciences and technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online marketplaces are growing rapidly globally. They have the potential to significantly benefit women; however, these benefits are not guaranteed. A lack of information on the benefits of or how to participate in online marketplaces could mean womenʼs participation is at an inefficiently low level. Participation could also bring about unintended consequences. We introduce this special issue of Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies on the social and economic benefits of online marketplaces for women in Asia. In this introduction, we set the context for the special issue, then provide an overview of its seven papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are the natural reservoir host for many pathogenic and non‐pathogenic viruses, potentially spilling over to humans and domestic animals directly or via an intermediate host. The ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic is the continuation of virus spillover events that have taken place over the last few decades, particularly in Asia and Africa. Therefore, these bat‐associated epidemics provide a significant number of hints, including respiratory cellular tropism, more intense susceptibility to these cell types, and overall likely to become a pandemic for the next spillover. In this systematic review, we analysed data to insight, through bat‐originated spillover in Asia and Africa. We used STATA/IC‐13 software for descriptive statistics and meta‐analysis. The random effect of meta‐analysis showed that the pooled estimates of case fatality rates of bat‐originated viral zoonotic diseases were higher in Africa (61.06%, 95%CI: 50.26 to 71.85, l2% = 97.3, p < 0.001). Moreover, estimates of case fatality rates were higher in Ebola (61.06%; 95%CI: 50.26 to 71.85, l2% = 97.3, p < 0.001) followed by Nipah (55.19%; 95%CI: 39.29 to 71.09, l2% = 94.2, p < 0.001), MERS (18.49%; 95%CI: 8.19 to 28.76, l2% = 95.4, p < 0.001) and SARS (10.86%; 95%CI: 6.02 to 15.71, l2% = 85.7, p < 0.001) with the overall case fatality rates of 29.86 (95%CI: 29.97 to 48.58, l2% = 99.0, p < 0.001). Bat‐originated viruses have caused several outbreaks of deadly diseases, including Nipah, Ebola, SARS and MERS in Asia and Africa in a sequential fashion. Nipah virus emerged first in Malaysia, but later, periodic outbreaks were noticed in Bangladesh and India. Similarly, the Ebola virus was detected in the African continent with neurological disorders in humans, like Nipah, seen in the Asian region. Two important coronaviruses, MERS and SARS, were introduced, both with the potential to infect respiratory passages. This paper explores the dimension of spillover events within and/or between bat–human and the epidemiological risk factors, which may lead to another pandemic occurring. Further, these processes enhance the bat‐originated virus, which utilises an intermediate host to jump into human species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper traces the growth of sociology in India through three phases. The first phase, it argues, begins in the 30s with the slow consolidation of the discipline. In this phase, sociology was associated with the Indological perspective and the social was perceived in culturist terms and analysed through the prism of the past, in and through Sanskrit texts. In the second phase, which begins in the early 60s, when University education expands in India, this indigenous perspective is re‐framed. There is a shift from textual studies to empirical investigation and the village becomes the site for studying Indian civilization. This paper makes a detailed analysis of the social anthropological perspective of M.N. Srinivas whose theories on village and caste influenced the sociological imagination in this phase. The third phase starts in the late 70s with the growth of social movements of the subalterns which challenge the received culturist nationalist sociological imagination. Today sociology together with other social sciences are at crossroads in India due to the impact of neoliberalism. The latter has encouraged privatisation of education, decreased state funding in material and human resources and an increased state control on academia. All three have affected the autonomy of the teachers and as well the University system and thus the efforts to chart a new sociological imagination in which the Indian social is perceived in global comparative terms. It is difficult to assess which turn sociology in India will take in these circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society held four serial symposia between 2019 and 2020 on the state‐of‐the‐art of issues related to upper GI inflammatory diseases. This review discusses some of the topics addressed in these symposia. The papers regarding nonerosive reflux disease, recent improvements in intraesophageal pH‐impedance monitoring and endoscopic diagnosis using image‐enhanced endoscopy have been published. Many publications have addressed its usefulness in endoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease such as anti‐reflux mucosectomy. In the management of eosinophilic esophagitis, since the symptoms are subjective, objective indicators have been sought, and ultrasonography and high‐resolution manometry may be useful tools for evaluation. The natural course of this condition, especially of asymptomatic cases, is not well clarified. Some newly developed anti‐acid or anti‐inflammatory medicines are now under investigation. With regard to autoimmune gastritis, because of widespread medical examinations, diagnosis of asymptomatic cases has been increasing. Recently, its endoscopic characteristics have become clear and the natural history of these conditions is being elucidated. The Kyoto Classification of Gastritis has been reported to be useful not only for Helicobacter pylori diagnosis but also for identification of risks of gastric cancer. Its usefulness is now recognized in Asia and Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East Asia's security order is experiencing significant change as it moves from a stable and peaceful geopolitical setting into one of increasingly open contestation. There is no scholarly consensus about the core character of East Asia's old security order, thus making analysis of this period of change especially challenging. The aim of this paper is two‐fold. Firstly, it seeks to provide some order to the broader debate about East Asia's regional security environment. Secondly, it provides a novel account of East Asia's security order that better captures the key dynamics at play in the region than the literature currently does. The paper's first part discusses the different types of security orders identified by scholars and analysts. The second examines the ways in which scholars have attempted to explain East Asia's security order and explores the key forces that they have argued shaped their form. The third part develops a distinctive account of Asia's security order which focuses on the interplay of domestic and international factors and argues that it was the political consensus that existed across the region about its structure and purpose that made the region stable and it is the breakdown of that consensus that is destabilising East Asia today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road infrastructures and collisions with vehicles negatively affect many animal populations globally. However, data on road kills of non‐human primates are very limited, not only due to the rare character of this phenomenon, but also due to the geographical bias of reporting in scientific references.As an alternative, we used data from social media (YouTube videos, online articles and blogs) in addition to searching the existing scientific information. The reports in scientific papers were published in 1994–2018, and the reports in social media dated from 2010 to 2018.In total we collated information on 46 non‐human primate species and 368 individual animals that were killed due to collisions with vehicles on four continents. Numbers of observations and numbers of species in each continent were as follows: Africa, 46 and 15; Asia, 247 and 14; South America, 72 and 16; and Europe, 3 and 1.Only two of the species found in our social media internet search belonged to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Endangered category, but a higher‐than‐expected number of fatalities was in the Vulnerable category. In scientific papers, seven Endangered species were reported as victims of collisions. Often it was young individuals crossing roads that were killed by vehicles.Primates are very charismatic species, so collisions are likely to be reported on social media. We believe that the information we have collected can make a valid contribution to the debate on wildlife‐vehicle collisions, and can be used to plan ways to avoid or mitigate road kills of non‐human primates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terms of spatial imaginaries and as physical infrastructure, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) spurs new geographies of comparative urban study. Irrespective of whether it is the primary driver for developments carried out in its name, 'the BRI' is a label that serves to bring previously unassociated project sites and non‐place‐based infrastructural developments into comparative relation. This paper considers some of the possibilities presented by the BRI for comparative urban studies in – and from – Asia. Building upon insights from postcolonial urban studies, planetary urbanisation and inter‐Asia cultural studies, I sketch two key possibilities of the BRI as (comparative urban) method. The first concerns the BRI as a series of openings to much (spatially) wider and historically deeper forms of comparison. Second, I argue that BRI as method impels forms of urban comparison beyond conventionally territorialised units of analysis at a variety of scales, including both the city and the (area studies) region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To indicate emphasis, auxiliary do is used in affirmative contexts (do+) when no other auxiliary is present. It is thus rooted in the grammatical system of do‐support; however, do+ does not always bear stress and can fulfil various discourse‐marking functions (Nevalainen & Rissanen, 1986). Positioned at the intersection of grammar and discourse, do+ constitutes an interesting study for its use in 'non‐native' varieties of English since it can be assumed that the more salient grammatical functions are easier to master for learners. Focusing on Asian Englishes in contrast to Inner Circle varieties, this exploratory paper assesses the frequency and distribution of do+ in the spoken and written parts of eight ICE components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Torenia gracilis, a species closely similar to Bonnaya antipoda, was published by Bentham in Wallich's Numerical List without description and was later synonymised under B. verbenifolia, now a synonym of B. antipoda. In this paper, the nomenclature of T. gracilis Benth. (nom. inval.) is discussed and this taxon is treated within Bonnaya as B. gracilis sp. nov. with a detailed description and comments on its taxonomic identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limiting excess atmospheric ammonia (NH3) is one of the great challenges for humanity in the 21st century but can only be achieved with adequate monitoring means in place. Here, we report the first NH3 measurements from the Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) onboard the Chinese FY‐4A satellite. The instrument scans almost all of Asia 10 times per day. We show that GIIRS′ unprecedented temporal sampling can be exploited to measure diurnal and nocturnal variations of NH3 and demonstrate this on two case studies over Punjab and the North China Plain. Day–night variations are found to be almost absent in winter, but can reach a factor 2–3 in the warmer months. These case studies are very promising given the future landscape of geostationary sounders, but also show that improved knowledge on lower tropospheric air temperatures and the vertical profile of NH3 is key to better exploit their measurements. Plain Language Summary: To reduce the worldwide concentrations of ammonia (NH3) in the air is one of the great challenges for humanity in the 21st century, but this can only be achieved with stringent policies in place, and with the support of accurate and frequent measurements. In this paper, we report the first ammonia measurements from the Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) onboard the Chinese FY‐4A satellite. The satellite is positioned above Indonesia and measures almost all of Asia 10 times per day. We show that GIIRS' measurements can be used to measure ammonia both during day and night. We look into more detail at two locations, over Punjab (Pakistan) and the North China Plain. Day‐night variations are found to be almost absent in the colder months, but can reach a factor 2–3 in the warmer months. These case studies are very promising given the future landscape of geostationary sounders, but demonstrate also that improved knowledge on the air temperature at the surface and the behavior of ammonia at higher altitudes will result in more accurate ammonia measurements. Key Points: We report the first observations of atmospheric NH3 from the geostationary satellite FY‐4A GIIRS over AsiaThe potential of GIIRS to reveal the diurnal and nocturnal variations of NH3 total columns is demonstrated over two sitesTo better exploit geostationary data, improved temperature profiles and knowledge on the vertical NH3 distribution is needed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A call for papers on the role of human resource management (HRM) in the competition, challenges, and changes in the Asia Pacific Region for the special issue of the "Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources" is presented.

As economic growth centres, the Southeast Asian cities feature high population pressure, unsustainable land use, environmental degradation, and large ecological footprints. It is difficult to manage environmental health and basic services for urban dwellers, and ensure optimum flow of ecosystem services in the context of rapid, unplanned, and haphazard urbanization. These challenges are particularly multifaceted in the developing countries of Southeast Asian region. This study, based on secondary sources, adopted multidisciplinary lenses, such as geographical information systems, socio‐economic perspective, and sustainability science to examine the population situation, land use change pattern, and drivers of environmental degradation in the Southeast Asian cities as well as the Dhaka megacity, and brought forth a fresh perspective to look into contemporary urban ecosystems, population dynamics, environmental health, and sustainability. It also focused on identifying the commonalities among the cities under study to create a common understanding towards promoting collaborative urban development. This study shows that the urbanization process in the Southeast Asia region is taking place mostly in an unplanned and haphazard manner. With little concern for nature, life‐supporting ecological systems, and the environment, urban spatial growth continues unabated. The data surveyed and discussed in this paper shows that the current style of urbanization in Southeast Asia can best be called unsustainable. The findings also suggest that the general wellbeing and welfare of the current and future generations in Southeast Asian cities as well as in Dhaka is at risk. The paper recommends concerted efforts towards making the urbanization process sustainable, including better urban planning, policymaking, and international and regional cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calls for papers for a special issue of the 'Asian Journal of Social Psychology,' devoted to recent conceptual advances and empirical research on psychological aspects of traditionality and modernity in Asia.

In this paper, the connection between the November northeast Asian snow cover and the following winter precipitation over southern China is studied for the period of 1979–2014. The results indicate that, when there is more November snow cover over northeast Asia, the precipitation in southern China is depressed during the following January, and vice versa. Mechanism analysis suggests that the troposphere‐stratosphere interaction may play an important role in the delayed connection between the two. The more November snow cover over northeast Asia could enhance the vertical propagation of the wave activity, and it could also weaken the westerly winds over northern Asia in the troposphere by decreasing the meridional temperature gradient over the region. The persistent weakening of the tropospheric westerly winds is in favour of the upward propagation of the wave activity into the stratosphere in November and December, and the associated convergence anomalies of the E‐P flux in the stratosphere induce the weakened stratospheric polar vortex. Thereafter, the abnormal polar vortex propagates downward to the lower troposphere and produces a low pressure anomaly to the east of Lake Baikal during January. Such a low pressure anomaly tends to strengthen the southward invasion of the cold air to southern China, which is unfavourable for the precipitation there. This leading signal of the November snow cover over northeast Asia provides a potential source for the prediction of the January precipitation over southern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monsoon onset over the South China Sea occurs in April–May, marking the start of the wet season over East Asia. Skillful prediction of onset timing remains an open challenge. Recently, theoretical studies using idealized models have revealed feedbacks at work during the seasonal transitions of the Hadley cells and have shown that these are relevant to monsoon onset over Asia. Here, I hypothesize that monsoon onset occurs earlier in years when the atmosphere over the South China Sea is already in a state where these feedbacks are more easily triggered. I find that local anomalies in lower‐level moist static energy in the preceding January–March are well correlated with South China Sea Monsoon onset timing. This relationship remains relatively consistent on decadal timescales, while correlations with other teleconnections vary, and is used to develop a simple forecast model for onset timing that shows skill competitive with that of more complex models. Plain Language Summary: Arable land in China is estimated to feed 20% of the world's population on 7% of the world's farmlands, with much of this region watered by rainfall from the East Asian Summer Monsoon. Forecasting the arrival of the monsoon, which occurs first over the South China Sea in April–May, is therefore helpful for agricultural planning. However, producing a reliable forecast remains an open challenge. Recently, simple climate models, for example, models including seasons but with no land, have been used along with observations to investigate the most basic processes controlling climatological monsoon onset over Asia. In this paper, I suggest that year‐to‐year variations in monsoon onset timing are controlled by the same processes and, based on these, I suggest climate variables that may help in predicting when the monsoon will begin. By using this approach, I find that the "Moist Static Energy" (a quantity that combines temperature and humidity) over the South China Sea in January–March is strongly correlated with monsoon onset timing. This insight can be used to predict future onset timing competitively compared with more complex forecast models. Key Points: Recent theoretical studies have revealed feedbacks at work during monsoon onsetIf the spring atmosphere is in a state where these feedbacks are easily triggered, onset is earlierThis insight is used to produce a simple forecast of South China Sea Monsoon onset timing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: For many of the developing world's poorest farmers and food‐insecure people, roots, tubers, bananas and plantain crops (RTBs) serve as a critical source of food, nutrition and cash income. RTBs have been particularly important in areas where local agri‐food systems are under stress. Under such circumstances, growers, processors and traders often see opportunities to improve food security or increase their incomes with those crops due to shifting tastes and preferences for food and non‐food products. Since the early 1990s, cassava output surged in sub‐Saharan Africa, while potato production expanded rapidly in Asia. RTBs are consumed by over three billion people in developing countries with a market value of US$ 339 billion. This paper analyses the major changes in production, utilisation and trade of RTBs over the last six decades, assesses estimates of their future trajectory and offers recommendations so that they might achieve their full potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across Asia, countries have signed the UNCRPD and to a greater or lesser extent are pursuing inclusive education (IE). In this article, we present case studies from Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, and China analyzing them for common themes around the education of students intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and noting commonalities, challenges, and emerging issues. While the definition of IE (being the philosophy, process and practice of welcoming, valuing and supporting all learners in general education environments) and the conceptual distinction between integration and segregation are clear in the UNCRPD and subsequent comments, the terminology used in some of the countries is inconsistent with these definitions. This makes interpretation of reports from government instrumentalities difficult. In some cases, misuse of terminology allows justification of practices that are contrary to the UNCRPD. Terminology differences coupled with challenges of finding data related to the education of children with IDD, if the data exist, make a regional analysis of progress towards IE complex. In our paper, we have drawn on previous reviews and reports to discuss common issues and make suggestions for ways forward. Our findings add to the few other reviews from Asia on IE and draw attention to the continuing need for improved access to any education at all for learners with IDD. Provision of IE is caught up in dilemmas in the region about teacher preparation and professional learning, and how to provide specialist support in inclusive settings. School structure decisions including staffing provision and class sizes affect the education outcomes of students with IDD. School leadership, with the fundamental role of translating policy into practice, is critical for the development of IE and must be aligned with system and country priorities. Collaboration across the region has the potential to share best practice and continue to improve the educational opportunities for learners with IDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an evidence based therapy and is now recommended by national organizations in many high income countries. CBT is underpinned by the European values and therefore for it to be effective in other cultures it needs to be adapted. Aims: This paper describes an evidence based approach to culturally adapt CBT in Asian context, areas of focus for such adaptation and lessons learned. Methods: An environmental scan of the literature, description of local CBT associations and perspectives from these organizations. Results: Cultural adaptation of CBT focuses on three main areas; 1 awareness of culture and related issues, 2 assessment and 3 adjustment in therapy techniques. Conclusions: The last decade has seen an increase in culturally adapted CBT in Asia, however, more work needs to be done to improve access to CBT in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To aim of the present paper was to evaluate the results of halo traction and transarticular screw fixation combined with bone autoplasty in patients with severe atlantoaxial dislocation. Case presentation: This is a retrospective study of severe cases of atlantoaxial dislocation in nine patients (six men and three women) treated with preoperative halo traction and posterior C1–C2 transarticular screw fixation combined with bone autoplasty from June 2006 to June 2011 at the Saint Paul Hospital (Hanoi). The mean age of patients was 37.48 ± 13.753 years (range, 26–50 years). The possibility of fixing dislocation using a halo apparatus was investigated through a series of preoperative halo corrections performed within a span of 1–2 weeks. For transarticular screw fixation, two transarticular screws were used that were positioned according to the Magerl technique. For bone autoplasty, an iliac crest bone graft approximately 3 × 2 cm in size was used. The postoperative assessment of clinical improvement was performed using the neck disability index (NDI), the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, and the visual analog scale (VAS) measurement instruments, through the gradation of atlantoaxial dislocation, and via the clivoaxial angle(CAA) index and the space available for cord (SAC) index after 6 months. The image diagnosis demonstrates that all the cases of atlantoaxial dislocations are unstable and correspond to the Fielding and Hawkins type III dislocation. Eight patients underwent complete reduction using the halo fixation device. In one patient, the C1–C2 displacement was manually reduced during surgery. CT scanning revealed that the accuracy of screw placement was 94.4%. The bone fusion rate was 100% after 6 months. Based on the ASIA impairment scale, the preoperative examination of patients revealed grade C injuries in seven patients and grade D injuries in two patients. After surgery, all patients had grade D injuries. Six months after surgery, four patients had moderate self‐reported neck disability (30%–48%) and five patients reported mild disability (10%–28%); that is, the patient perception of the neck problem improved. In the postoperative phase, all patients showed an improvement in VAS pain scores and the SAC score returned to the normal range in all patients. The CAA returned to normal in only seven patients; in the other two patients, the CAA returned to a value that was close to normal (145° and 149°). Conclusion: Through halo traction combined with transarticular screw fixation and bone autoplasty, noticeable postoperative improvements were attained based on the clinical scores for NDI, ASIA, and VAS, as well as SAC and CAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discipline of marriage and family therapy (MFT) has been established around the world. Inspired by theories and models developed in Western countries, professionals in East Asian countries over the last two decades have been dedicated to introducing the concepts of MFT to local mental health professionals. This paper presents an overview of the cultural background of East Asian cultures, a summary of MFT development in East Asia, and a discussion of key challenges to advancing MFT in East Asia. We provide recommendations to overcome these obstacles, including bridging the gap between MFTs in the West and East Asia, developing country‐specific MFT development plans, establishing accreditation and licensing regulation, increasing the public awareness of MFT, increasing collaboration among training institutes and the number of qualified MFT trainers and training locations, and developing culturally attuned MFT training and practices. Practitioner points: Direct application of Western approaches to the East Asian context can be detrimental if therapists do not carefully examine the cultural differences and adapt accordinglyA critical step in developing MFT in East Asia is to develop country/region‐specific plans including the recognition of the history, values, and distinctive features of Asian families [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azole fungicide pressure drives azole resistance in I A. fumigatus i . Azole resistance in the United States is becoming of great concern as over the last 20 years, azole usage in agriculture has increased fourfold (Wiederhold I et al i ., 2016; Toda I et al i ., 2021). Is an azole-resistant Aspergillus hotspot emerging in South-East Asia? Azole resistance in I Aspergillus i is much prevalent than it used to be and further emphasized by a paper in this issue from Vietnam (Duong I et al i ., n.d.). [Extracted from the article]

This paper offers an informed commentary on the actual and potential impacts of the pandemic on financial markets, sector and centres, grounded in literature on financial centres, the state‐finance nexus, and trends affecting the landscape of finance since the global financial crisis. We expect a slowdown in new financial regulation, continued firm‐level consolidation, and a continued rise of business services related to finance. The application of new financial technologies is likely to accelerate, affecting retail banking in particular, but will not necessarily be led by FinTech firms. Local and regional financial centres are likely to face larger challenges than leading international centres. As the panic and partial recovery in financial markets in March and April 2020 highlighted the significance of the international monetary hierarchy, with the US$ in the lead, a radical shift of financial power to Asia seems unlikely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed dispersal is an ecological process crucial for forest regeneration and recruitment. To date, most studies on frugivore seed dispersal have used the seed dispersal effectiveness framework and have documented seed‐handling mechanisms, dispersal distances and the effect of seed handling on germination. In contrast, there has been no exploration of "disperser reliability" which is essential to determine if a frugivore is an effective disperser only in particular regions/years/seasons or across a range of spatio‐temporal scales. In this paper, we propose a practical framework to assess the spatial reliability of frugivores as seed dispersers. We suggest that a frugivore genus would be a reliable disperser of certain plant families/genera if: (a) fruits of these plant families/genera are represented in the diets of most of the species of that frugivore, (b) these are consumed by the frugivore genus across different kinds of habitats, and (c) these fruits feature among the yearly staples and preferred fruits in the diets of the frugivore genus. Using this framework, we reviewed frugivory by the genus Macaca across Asia to assess its spatial reliability as seed dispersers. We found that the macaques dispersed the seeds of 11 plant families and five plant genera including at least 82 species across habitats. Differences in fruit consumption/preference between different groups of macaques were driven by variation in plant community composition across habitats. We posit that it is essential to maintain viable populations of macaques across their range and keep human interventions at a minimum to ensure that they continue to reliably disperse the seeds of a broad range of plant species in the Anthropocene. We further suggest that this framework be used for assessing the spatial reliability of other taxonomic groups as seed dispersers. Research Highlights: 1.We propose a practical framework to assess seed dispersal reliability of frugivores.2.We reviewed frugivory by the genus Macaca using this framework.3.The macaques are reliable seed dispersers for 11 plant families and five genera across habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The objective of this study is to systematically review the evidence on correlates of sedentary behaviour (SB) among Asian adults. We searched for studies that examined individual, environmental, and political/cultural correlates of total and domain‐specific SB (transport, occupation, leisure, and screen time) in Asian adults published from 2000 onwards in nine scientific databases. Two reviewers independently screened identified references. Following quality assessment of included studies, we performed narrative synthesis that considered differences based on SB measurements, regions, and population characteristics (PROSPERO: CRD42018095268). We identified 13 249 papers of which we included 49, from four regions and 12 countries. Researchers conducted cross‐sectional analyses and most relied on SB self‐report for SB measurement. Of the 118 correlates studied, the following associations were consistent: higher age, living in an urban area (East Asia), and lower mental health with higher total SB; higher education with higher total and occupational SB; higher income with higher leisure‐time SB; higher transit density with higher total SB in older East Asians; and being an unmarried women with higher SB in the Middle East. We encourage more research in non‐high‐income countries across regions, further exploration of important but neglected correlates using longitudinal designs and qualitative research, and the use of objective instruments to collect SB data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies within the world Englishes paradigm have furnished detailed descriptions of numerous lexical, morphological and syntactic features. Although laudable exceptions exist, pragmatics as well as the concept of pragmatic nativisation have so far been largely neglected in world Englishes – particularly from an empirical angle. The present paper investigates pauses – more specifically the choice between filled (for example, uh, uhm) and unfilled pauses (that is, silence) – in two South Asian Englishes, Indian and Sri Lankan English, in comparison to the culturally distinct British English. Central research questions include: (a) are there variety‐specific differences in the use of filled/unfilled pauses; (b) which additional factors determine the choice between filled and unfilled pauses; and (c) what implications do the results have for the notion of pragmatic nativisation? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies on the gendered aspects of biographical disruption are predicated on adult experiences of chronic illness, often based on heterogeneous samples. This paper goes beyond typologies by analysing the life‐history case study of 'Sam', a 23‐year‐old Australian man raised in a refugee family, who developed a disabling chronic health condition at 15 years of age. The analysis illustrates how critical contextual factors like life‐phase, combine with powerful social structures like ethnicity and gender to shape Sam's experiences of, and responses to, biographical disruption. Even before the onset of any symptoms, Sam was railing against the marginal position he occupied in the Australian gender order as a young Asian man. With little guidance on how to adapt his biography to integrate his new differently functioning body, Sam's transition to adulthood stalls, and he becomes in effect, a boy interrupted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic reviews with economic components are important decision tools for stakeholders seeking to evaluate technologies, such as breast cancer screening (BCS) programs. This overview of systematic reviews explores the determinants of the cost‐effectiveness of BCS and assesses the quality of secondary evidence. The search identified 30 systematic reviews that reported on the determinants of the cost‐effectiveness of BCS, including the costs of breast cancer and BCS. While the quality of the reviews varied widely, only four out of 30 papers were considered to be of a high quality. We did not identify publication bias in the original evidence on the cost‐effectiveness of mammography screening; however, we highlight a need for improved clarity in both reporting and data verification. The reviews consisted mainly of studies from high‐income countries. Breast cancer costs varied widely among the studies. Factors leading to higher costs included: time (diagnosis and last months before death), later stage or metastases, recurrence of the disease, age below 64 years and type of follow‐up (more intensive or more specialized). Overall, screening with mammography was considered cost‐effective in the age range 50‐69 years in Western European and Northern American countries but not for older or younger women. Its cost‐effectiveness was questionable for low‐income settings and Asia. Mammography screening was more cost‐effective with biennial screening compared to annual screening and single reading using computer‐aided detection vs double reading. No information on the cost‐effectiveness of ultrasonography was found, and there is much uncertainty on the cost‐effectiveness of CBE because of methodological limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East Asia's security environment is changing rapidly. Over the past five years or so, the security order has become increasingly unsettled as it is buffeted by a complex array of forces. The region is entering a period of growing rivalry and animosity states are uncertain over the strategic intentions of great and rising powers, nationalism is an increasingly pervasive force, and military spending has been ramping up in many countries over the past decade. That the security environment is changing is unarguable. But what is the extent of these changes? And what are the implications of these shifts for regional states? This paper introduces the special issue "East Asia's Contested Security Order". It begins by discussing the broad contours of the changing East Asian security order and what is at stake for regional powers. It then introduces the seven articles in this edition that challenge existing conceptualisations of the East Asian security order, articulate diverse perspectives on that order held by regional, middle and smaller powers, examine their complex and different security strategies that contribute to shaping the regional order, and consider the extent to which the regional security order may be said to be "contested". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a retrospective of the DNA analysis performed by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner–Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory between 1990 and 2018. Over 13,000 postcranial osseous materials, comprised of wartime losses from World War II, the Korean War, and South‐East Asia, were examined by the following: mitochondrial DNA sequencing, a modified AmpFlSTR® Yfiler™, AmpFlSTR® MiniFiler™, PowerPlex® Fusion, or NGS. Four different DNA extraction protocols were used: incomplete demineralization coupled with an organic purification; complete demineralization with an organic purification; complete demineralization with an inorganic purification using QIAquick PCR Purification Kit; and a protocol designed specifically for use with next‐generation sequencing. In general, complete demineralization coupled with an organic purification was the optimal extraction protocol for sequencing of mitochondrial DNA, regardless of the osseous element tested. For STR testing, demineralization paired with an inorganic purification provided optimum results, regardless of kit used or osseous element tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundnut is an important food and oil crop in the semiarid tropics, contributing to household food consumption and cash income. In Asia and Africa, yields are low attributed to various production constraints. This review paper highlights advances in genetics, genomics and breeding to improve the productivity of groundnut. Genetic studies concerning inheritance, genetic variability and heritability, combining ability and trait correlations have provided a better understanding of the crop's genetics to develop appropriate breeding strategies for target traits. Several improved lines and sources of variability have been identified or developed for various economically important traits through conventional breeding. Significant advances have also been made in groundnut genomics including genome sequencing, marker development and genetic and trait mapping. These advances have led to a better understanding of the groundnut genome, discovery of genes/variants for traits of interest and integration of marker‐assisted breeding for selected traits. The integration of genomic tools into the breeding process accompanied with increased precision of yield trialing and phenotyping will increase the efficiency and enhance the genetic gain for release of improved groundnut varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research has underscored the radiative impact of mineral dust in influencing Indian summer monsoon rainfall variability. However, the various aerosol‐cloud‐precipitation interaction mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we analyze multisatellite observations to examine dust‐induced modification in ice clouds and precipitation susceptibility. We show contrasting dust‐induced changes in ice cloud regimes wherein despite a 25% reduction in ice particle radius in thin ice clouds, we find ~40% increase in ice particle radius and ice water path in thick ice clouds resulting in the cloud deepening and subsequently strengthened precipitation susceptibility, under strong updraft regimes. The observed dust‐ice cloud‐precipitation interactions are supported by a strong correlation between the interannual monsoon rainfall variability and dust frequency. This microphysical‐dynamical coupling appears to provide negative feedback to aerosol‐cloud interactions, which acts to buffer enhanced aerosol wet scavenging. Our results underscore the importance of incorporating meteorological regime‐dependent dust‐ice cloud‐precipitation interactions in climate simulations. Plain Language Summary: The Indian summer monsoon is the central source of freshwater availability to the densely populated regions of southern Asia. The monsoon circulation and rainfall variability are widely known to be governed by large‐scale atmosphere‐land‐ocean dynamics, meteorological processes, and air‐sea interactions. In the past two decades, the role of atmospheric aerosols has emerged as a source of modulating monsoon rainfall, as suggested by a host of climate modeling studies. In this paper, we have investigated a new aspect of aerosols in possibly influencing monsoon clouds and rainfall by specifically examining interaction between mineral dust aerosols and ice clouds, as part of the monsoon system. Using state‐of‐the‐art information derived for aerosols and clouds from multisensor and disparate satellite observations spanning 11 years, we find characteristic signature of dust aerosol‐induced modification of thick ice clouds (so‐called cloud invigoration effect) toward strengthened susceptibility of monsoon precipitation. Overall, our results shed new light on the potential role of dust and ice cloud interactions in modulating the Indian summer monsoon. Key Points: Elevated dust‐induced microphysical‐dynamical coupling in thick ice clouds amplifies ice cloud formation under favorable meteorologyStrengthened summer monsoon precipitation susceptibility is linked to dust‐induced changes in ice clouds under strong updraft regimesMicrophysical‐dynamical coupling provides negative feedback to aerosol‐cloud interaction and buffers the enhanced aerosol wet scavenging [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant major approaches to states and revolutions privilege the role of state practices and the character of war-making in shaping modern state-making in the Third World. Bringing the role of ideology into this analytical landscape of state-making, this paper advances an alternative claim that ideological practices shape modern state structures and practices as well as the dynamics of political contention between the state and the revolutions. First, I argue that that intra-movement ideological dynamics within the nationalist movement can have a profound impact on the structure and practices of the state. Using the writings of the party leaders, memoirs and official publications of the Burmese communist party, I maintain that subtle and specific ideological differences amongst the Burmese leftist movements generated organizational splits and internecine conflicts in the nationalist struggle, which exerted profound influences on the structures and practices of the Burmese state Secondly, relative ideological positions of the state and the revolutionary movements play an important role in shaping the dynamics of contention between the state and revolution. For example, an intimate web of ideological affinity between the nascent Burmese state and the Burmese leftist movements shaped the context and content of political contention between the state and these movements in the post-colonial Burma. To address these issues empirically, the first part of the paper examines the formation and cementation of organizational linkages amongst Burmese leftist nationalists during the anti-colonial struggle. The second part of the paper addresses specific and subtle ways in which ideological character and practices of the Burmese state and the Burmese Communist party shaped state practices and state structures in modern Burma as well as the dynamics of political contention between the state and the revolutionary movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While transboundary waters are widely advocated to be best managed at the basin level, practical experience in transboundary waters at the basin vis-à-vis other scales has not been systematically examined. To understand past experiences in transboundary water management at alternate scales, this paper: (i) determines the relative abundance of water treaties at different scales and (ii) elucidates how transboundary water law varies according to the scale to which it applies. The paper developed a scale typology with six groups, and systematically applied it to stratify transboundary water treaties. Treaty contents were then compared across scales according to the following set of parameters: primary issue area, temporal development, and important water management attributes. Results of this work reveal: (i) treaties tend to focus on hydropower and flood control at smaller scales, and organizations and policies at larger scales; (ii) a temporal trend toward treaties concluded at larger scales; and (iii) a higher proportion of treaties is at larger scales in Africa and Asia than in Europe and the Americas. These findings suggest that smaller scale cooperation may constitute a more constructive scale in which to achieve development-oriented cooperation. Further, scope may exist to complement basin scale cooperation with cooperation at smaller scales, in order to optimize transboundary water management. In the context of basin-wide management frameworks, Africa and Asia may benefit from greater emphasis on small-scale transboundary water cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theological education is missional in nature. The disability perspective within theological education provides this missional aspect, which is vital for the growth and sustenance of the church. Since its inception, the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (WCC‐EDAN) has contributed to this great mission. This paper is an attempt to understand theological education as missional formation from the perspective of disability studies, especially the contributions of WCC‐EDAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]