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Mass Engineered Timber (MET) has emerged as an innovative construction material used in the creation of low-carbon buildings. However, more built examples are found in Europe and North America, with far fewer in Asia, despite its generally higher levels of construction. This research explores these trends by measuring building industry practitioners' perceptions – their awareness, attitudes and perceived obstacles – across three regions experiencing different levels of MET adoption: Europe and North America (early adopters), Australia and New Zealand (early developing) and South-East Asia (under developed). The research develops a novel framework to understand industry perceptions of MET composed of 'Enabling Parameters' and 'Decision-making Parameters'. This is used to develop a survey which was completed by 186 participants from the three regions. Results show that participants' perceptions, knowledge and experience of MET are consistently lower in South-East Asia, than the other regions – a finding previously not identified in existing research. Protection against fire and water damage, ease of repair and maintenance, and perceived unsuitability of MET for high-rise building types are the primary concerns of practitioners in South-East Asia. This paper calls for technological advancements for taller MET and hybrid buildings, a review of building codes, provision of incentives, and education among practitioners to improve the perception and adoption of MET in South-East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vasectomy is a safe, highly effective and affordable method of permanent contraception, and one of the few currently available contraceptive methods for men. Despite this, vasectomy uptake remains overall low, making up just 2% of the global contraceptive method mix. To better understand access to vasectomy in a country with negligible uptake, we conducted participatory and operational research in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste). We held 14 participatory group discussions with 175 community participants (84 men, 91 women; aged 18–72) across seven municipalities (Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Dili, Lautem, Manufahi, and Oecusse), and individual in-depth interviews with 24 healthcare providers (16 women, 8 men; aged 25–56 years). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Community awareness and understanding about vasectomy were limited, with concerns expressed about physical and social side effects. Healthcare providers had limited experience and knowledge about vasectomy, and about male sexual and reproductive health more generally. However, our findings also indicate a small but existing demand for vasectomy services that could be grown and better met through health systems strengthening initiatives. Insights from our research have informed programmatic decision-making in Timor-Leste and can be further used to inform national health policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Savannas, characterised by a continuous grass layer and discontinuous tree layer, are widespread globally and highly flammable during dry seasons, contributing to 90% of annual global burned areas and significant emissions. Asian savannas, often mismanaged owing to structural variability and misclassification as 'poor forests', face excessive or insufficient fire regimes. Addressing trans-boundary haze and climate mitigation requires improved understanding and sustainable management. This paper addresses savanna management challenges, particularly misclassified dry dipterocarp forests in the Lower Mekong, by synthesising knowledge on their distribution and the role of fire use by local communities, and recommends holistic, community-based fire management, integrated planning and incentives. We review the challenges and solutions for managing savannas in the Lower Mekong region, focusing on fire regimes, misclassification and mapping difficulties. Emphasising a balance between community socioeconomic needs and biophysical conditions, we recommend sustainable savanna management through holistic, community-based fire management, integrated landscape planning and further exploration of incentivisation for avoided emissions. This article belongs to the collection: Savanna burning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to measure the efficiency of schools in six South-East Asian countries, taking into account the impacts of information and communication technologies (ICT). The educational institutions of South-East Asia are very dynamic; and to increase their competitiveness at international level, they need to manage their resources in an efficient way. We propose a two-stage super-efficiency model for measuring their efficiency, using 2018 PISA data. In the first stage, the non-parametric data envelopment analysis super-efficiency model is used to rank the schools in this region. Then, a second-stage analysis based on a bootstrapped quantile regression is performed to identify the factors that potentially influence efficiency. We analyze four different scenarios depending on the output considered. In the first stage of the analysis, Singapore has the best performance among the other countries in all scenarios. In the second stage, our results show that ICT is statistically significant as a determinant of efficiency in terms of the ratio of computers connected to the internet. However, the integration of ICT in education is mainly influenced by the socio-economic and educational factors of the analyzed countries. Moreover, concerning the other factors, the lower efficiency schools benefit more from the number of female students than higher efficiency schools. The reverse happens for the proportion of certified teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Influenza is the most common vaccine-preventable infection among travelers, affecting approximately one percent of those travelling to subtropical and tropical destinations. Methods: We analysed demographic, travel-related and clinical information from travelers diagnosed with influenza at our travel clinic between January 2015 and March 2020 and influenza-negative controls. Results: We included 68 travelers diagnosed with influenza and 207 controls. In total, 22.1% of influenza patients (n = 15) were older than 60 years and/or had comorbidities for which annual influenza vaccination is recommended, but only one had received an influenza vaccine. Patients with respiratory and musculoskeletal symptoms who presented during the German influenza season had the highest risk proportion of positive tests (54%, n = 25/46). Overall, three (4.4%) influenza patients were hospitalised, two (2.9%) received antiviral treatment, and eight (11.8%) received antibiotic therapy. Conclusions: Influenza occurs throughout the year in international travelers and can cause significant morbidity. Travelers with febrile illness should be tested for influenza, especially if they have respiratory or musculoskeletal symptoms, present during the local influenza season, or have travelled to South-East Asia. Influenza vaccination coverage among international travelers needs to be improved among high-risk individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religious differences are often portrayed as a source of conflict and tension in development work. Such portrayals imply that faith-based organizations (FBOs) struggle to bridge religious divides and construct co-ownership when engaging in multi-religious contexts. This article nuances this view through a study of how Christian FBOs are working with antitrafficking programs in Buddhist South-East Asia. Drawing on interviews and observations in Thailand and Cambodia, the analysis demonstrates that differences in religion need not present an obstacle to the construction of co-ownership. In contrast, a shared religious ontology between FBOs and local stakeholders and beneficiaries facilitates a shared understanding of the problem of human trafficking and the solutions to address it. This indicates that religion can be a resource, rather than a problem, in establishing co-ownership with local actors in the antitrafficking work of the FBOs. However, in interactions with secular antitrafficking actors, finding common ground is more challenging: the secular-religious divide seems wider than the Christian–Buddhist divide. The article thus provides important insights for scholars, policymakers and practitioners by nuancing assumptions about the role of religion in development in multi-religious contexts. Western secularism may in fact present a more significant obstacle than an explicit religious identity when seeking to construct co-ownership with local communities in Buddhist South-East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat destruction and snake persecution are the leading causes of the decline of snake populations worldwide, highlighting the need to formulate scientifically robust conservation management plans that incorporate an understanding of local public attitudes toward snakes. We conducted an in-person survey of 968 residents of Maguindanao Provinces, Mindanao Island, Philippines, to investigate attitudes toward snakes and assess the effects of knowledge about snakes, worldviews, and demographic characteristics on the support for snake conservation. Survey participants were primarily intolerant of and aversive to snakes but generally supported their conservation. Additionally, they were knowledgeable about the behavior of snakes, and shared either highly moralistic or dominionistic worldviews of nature, while most did not believe in folklore traditions. High levels of knowledge about the behavior of snakes, positive folkloric beliefs, high tolerance and low aversion to the presence of snakes, and moralistic worldviews positively affected support for snake conservation. Female participants were less tolerant and more averse to snakes than males. Participants with higher levels of education were more tolerant and supportive of snake conservation than those with little or no education. Farmers were less supportive of snake conservation than non-farmers. Our survey results provide important information to understand how cognitions, folklore, and demographics influence snake conservation on an island in the Philippines. This information may be valuable to government agencies and various stakeholders that could use it to design effective strategies for promoting snake conservation in the country, or other countries with similar societal systems and cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications have shown promise in the management of pandemics. In response to the global Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak, the HeHealth.ai team leveraged an existing tool to screen for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) to develop a digital screening test for symptomatic Mpox using AI. Before the global Mpox outbreak, the team developed a smartphone app (HeHealth) where app users can use a smartphone to photograph their own penises to screen for symptomatic STD. The AI model initially used 5000 cases and a modified convolutional neural network to output prediction scores across visually diagnosable penis pathologies including syphilis, herpes simplex virus, and human papillomavirus. A total of about 22,000 users had downloaded the HeHealth app, and ~21,000 images were analysed using HeHealth AI technology. We then used formative research, stakeholder engagement, rapid consolidation images, a validation study, and implementation of the tool. A total of 1000 Mpox-related images had been used to train the Mpox symptom checker tool. Based on an internal validation, our digital symptom checker tool showed specificity of 87% and sensitivity of 90% for symptomatic Mpox. Several hurdles identified included issues of data privacy and security for app users, initial lack of data to train the AI tool, and the potential generalisability of input data. We offer several suggestions to help others get started on similar projects in emergency situations, including engaging a wide range of stakeholders, having a multidisciplinary team, prioritising pragmatism, as well as the concept that 'big data' in fact is made up of 'small data'. Prior to the global Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak, we developed a smartphone app (HeHealth) where users can take pictures of their penises with a smartphone to screen for symptomatic sexually transmitted diseases. We further developed the Mpox tool that involved formative research, stakeholder engagement, rapid consolidation of Mpox images, a validation study, and implementation. Artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches can be initiated by smaller datasets and refined along the way, which is important in the event of global pandemics or outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Anecdotal evidence suggests that casting actors with similar facial features in a movie can pose challenges in foreign markets, hindering the audience's ability to recognize and remember characters. Extending developments in the literature on the cross-race effect, we hypothesize that facial similarity – the extent to which the actors starring in a movie share similar facial features – will reduce the country-level box-office performance of US movies in East and South-East Asia (ESEA) countries. Design/methodology/approach: We assembled data from various secondary data sources on US non-animation movies (2012–2021) and their releases in ESEA countries. Combining the data resulted in a cross-section of 2,616 movie-country observations. Findings: Actors' facial similarity in a US movie's cast reduces its box-office performance in ESEA countries. This effect is weakened as immigration in the country, internet penetration in the country and star power increase and strengthened as cast size increases. Originality/value: This first study on the effects of cast's facial similarity on box-office performance represents a novel extension to the growing literature on the antecedents of movies' box-office performance by being at the intersection of the two literature streams on (1) the box-office effects of cast characteristics and (2) the antecedents, in general, of box-office performance in the ESEA region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of cancer can be altered by screening. The field of cancer screening is constantly evolving; from the initiation of program for new cancer types as well as exploring innovative screening strategies (e.g. new screening tests). The aim of this study was to perform a landscape analysis of existing cancer screening programs in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. Methods: We conducted an overview of cancer screening in the region with the goal of summarizing current designs of cancer screening programs. First, a selective narrative literature review was used as an exploration to identify countries with organized screening programs. Second, representatives of each country with an organized program were approached and asked to provide relevant information on the organizations of their national or regional cancer screening program. Results: There was wide variation in the screening strategies offered in the considered region with only eight programs identified as having an organized design. The majority of these programs did not meet all the essential criteria for being organized screening. The greatest variation was observed in the starting and stopping ages. Conclusions: Essential criteria of organized screening are missed. Improving organization is crucial to ensure that the beneficial effects of screening are achieved in the long-term. It is strongly recommended to consider a regional cancer screening network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of rates of suicidal behaviors (ideation, plan, and attempt) would help to understand the burden and prioritize prevention strategies. However, no attempt to assess suicidal behavior among students was identified in South-East Asia (SEA). We aimed to assess the prevalence of suicidal behavior (ideation, plan, and attempt) among students in SEA. We followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered the protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42022353438). We searched in Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO and performed meta-analyses to pool the lifetime, 1-year, and point prevalence rates for suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. We considered the duration of a month for point prevalence. The search identified 40 separate populations from which 46 were included in the analyses, as some studies included samples from multiple countries. The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation was 17.4% (confidence interval [95% CI], 12.4%–23.9%) for lifetime, 9.33% (95% CI, 7.2%–12%) for the past year, and 4.8% (95% CI, 3.6%–6.4%) for the present time. The pooled prevalence of suicide plans was 9% (95% CI, 6.2%–12.9%) for lifetime, 7.3% (95% CI, 5.1%–10.3%) for the past year, and 2.3% (95% CI, 0.8%–6.7%) for the present time. The pooled prevalence of suicide attempts was 5.2% (95% CI, 3.5%–7.8%) for lifetime and 4.5% (95% CI, 3.4%–5.8%) for the past year. Higher rates of suicide attempts in the lifetime were noted in Nepal (10%) and Bangladesh (9%), while lower rates were reported in India (4%) and Indonesia (5%). Suicidal behaviors are a common phenomenon among students in the SEA region. These findings call for integrated, multisectoral efforts to prevent suicidal behaviors in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: From 2008 to 2020, colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality increased by approximately 50% and 47%, respectively, in South-East Asia (SEA). The human development index (HDI) influences various lifestyle choices (including physical activity), which may contribute to the prevalence of CRC in this region, distinct from factors related to medical or hereditary history. This review aims to evaluate and demonstrate the impacts and association of HDI with age-standardized rates (ASR) of CRC incidence and mortality in SEA. Methods: Utilizing data from the GLOBOCAN 2020, this study analyzed ASR for CRC incidence and mortality in each SEA country. Concurrently, the HDI for 2021 in these nations was gathered from the Human Development Reports. Using Spearman correlation analysis, we investigated the link between CRC ASR (incidence and mortality) and HDI indicators, including life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, and Gross National Income per Capita (2017 PPP$). The statistical significance threshold was set at P<0.05. Results: The statistical analysis revealed noteworthy positive correlations between HDI and its components (life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, and Gross National Income per Capita) with the ASR for incidence. Specifically, Spearman's rho values were 0.834, 0.755, 0.827, and 0.882, respectively. Similarly, significant correlations were observed between HDI and its constituents with ASR for mortality, with corresponding values of 0.720, 0.755, 0.718, and 0.782 at a 5% significance level. Conclusion: Countries with a high HDI exhibit a dual impact influence by fostering economic growth while potentially posing challenges to public health. Despite very high HDI nations demonstrating successful CRC screening programs that lower both incidence and mortality rates, various SEA countries face impediments in implementing such screenings. The impact of diet and lifestyle on CRC burdens is particularly pronounced in medium HDI countries, underscoring the significance of unprocessed diets and an active lifestyle in mitigating the prevalence of CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myotis muricola species group, being common and widespread across South-East Asia and Australasia, is highly complicated from a taxonomy point, and a combined use of different methods is required to solve subjects of its phylogeny, taxonomy and species delimitation. We try to use nuclear DNA for clarification of the taxonomic position and status of the Moluccan whiskered bat, Myotis ater, and in particular its population from mainland Asia mainland Asia. Following our results, individual nuclear markers showed weak phylogenetic signal and commonly provide controversial and low-supported topologies. The combined analysis of several nuclear genes gives a tree topology similar to the mitochondrial one, but with greatly smaller distances. Mitochondrial data, as well as morphometric data, show a separation of M. ater from M. muricola and, at the same time, a similar level of diversification between island and continental populations of M. ater. Unfortunately, nuDNA data at our disposal is not enough to come to reliable conclusions, but we may assume that continental Asia is inhabited by an undescribed taxon related to M. ater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of HIV infection within minority indigenous populations of the South-East Asia (SEAR) and Western Pacific Regions (WPR). Sub-group analyses were conducted, and the sources of heterogeneity explored through meta-regression. The majority of studies were undertaken in high HIV risk subpopulations. There was a paucity of data for many countries with data from China representing 70% of the comparative studies. Within minority indigenous populations the pooled prevalence of HIV infection was 13.7% (95% CI 8.9, 19) and 8.4% (95% CI 6.3, 10.7) among other populations. The prevalence differential between populations was significant in the WPR (adjusted odds ratio 1.1, 95% CI 1.0, 1.2). Across both regions, in contrast to other populations, minority indigenous did not experience any significant reduction in HIV prevalence over the years of data collection. There was large heterogeneity in the prevalence of HIV across studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Information about the chemical composition of cassava-based feed ingredients is needed to accurately formulate animal diets. A study was conducted to determine the chemical composition of cassava-based feed ingredients and to test the hypothesis that there is variation in chemical composition among cassava products originating from different South-East Asian countries. Methods: Sources of dried peeled and unpeeled cassava roots, cassava chips, cassava meal, high-ash cassava meal, and cassava residue were used. All samples were analyzed for dry matter, gross energy, nitrogen, amino acids (AA), acid-hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE), ash, minerals, total starch, insoluble dietary fiber, and soluble dietary fiber. Samples of peeled and unpeeled cassava roots, cassava chips, and cassava meal were also analyzed for sugars. Results: High-ash cassava meal had greater (p<0.05) dry matter and ash, but lower (p<0.05) total starch and gross energy than all other cassava products. Peeled cassava roots, unpeeled cassava roots, and cassava chips had greater (p<0.05) total starch than the other cassavabased ingredients. Cassava residue had greater (p<0.05) concentrations of lysine, insoluble dietary fiber, and soluble dietary fiber compared with the other cassava products, but tryptophan and glutamic acid were greater (p<0.05) in peeled cassava roots, cassava chips, and cassava meal samples compared with the other ingredients. Concentration of most minerals was greater (p<0.05) in high-ash cassava meal than in the other cassava products. Conclusion: Cassava-based ingredients sold as peeled roots, unpeeled roots, chips, or meal have chemical compositions that are not different from each other, and peeling has little impact on chemical composition. High-ash cassava meal has lower nutritional quality compared with other cassava products due to low starch and gross energy. The high fiber content in cassava residue makes this ingredient more suitable for ruminants and sows than for younger pigs or poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Australian tarantula fauna are accurately placed in Selenocosmiinae. • They are not Gondwanan, but rather a recent arrival into Australia from south-east Asia. • There is a phylogenetic signature of rapid radiation among the Australian tarantulas. • There is a great amount of undescribed diversity, highlighting the need for taxonomic revision. The composition of Australia's fauna and flora has been largely assembled by two biogeographic processes, vicariance and long-distance dispersal and establishment. These patterns can be observed today through the survival of Gondwanan lineages contrasted with relatively recent colonization from south-east Asia, respectively. In general, the post-Gondwanan immigrant lineages from south-east Asia are taxa with traits that facilitate dispersal. Consequently, taxa like tarantulas (Araneae, Theraphosidae) that are largely pan-tropical but also have a low propensity for dispersal, are thought to be Gondwanan in origin. However, the Australian tarantulas are unsampled for phylogenomic studies and, as such, their classification and biogeographic origins have been long debated and are unresolved. Here we test if their current, morphology-based classification in Selenocosmiinae is accurate and assess whether the Australian tarantulas were present in Australia while it was part of Gondwana. We sample 369 tarantula specimens from across Australia, greatly expanding the geographic sampling of previous studies, to develop the first continent-wide phylogeny of the Australian tarantulas. To resolve the 'back bone' of the Australian tarantula phylogeny we generate 20 new transcriptomes for species of Australian tarantulas representing distinct lineages uncovered using mitochondrial sequence data and combine these new transcriptomes with published transcriptomic data. Through the recovery of ultra-conserved element (UCE) loci from transcriptomes and testing multiple data occupancy matrices, we find that the Australian clade is monophyletic and nested inside the largely Asian Selenocosmiinae. We find the Australian fauna are a relatively young radiation with a crown age of 18.8–8.3 Ma and we therefore reject the hypothesis of a Gondwanan origin for these animals and, instead, infer a recent dispersal from south-east Asia. Our findings indicate that they underwent a rapid radiation, possibly coinciding with their arrival into Australia. Our findings refute the monophyly of Selenocosmia and Coremiocnemis as currently recognised, and we remove Selenocosmia stalkeri from synonymy with Selenocosmia stirlingi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crocodile newts (Echinotriton and Tylototriton) are emblematic of the biodiversity of South-East Asia. In this study, we provide an account of their evolution, diversity and phylogeography based on mitochondrial (16.2 kb) and nuclear sequences (3.2 kb), combining barcoding data from nearly 1200 specimens collected over ~180 localities, representative of all lineages known to date. While phylogenies of nuclear data lacked resolution, the mitochondrial tree showed dynamic allopatric speciation that followed climate cooling during the last 10 million years, a pattern shared with many other tropical and subtropical amphibians. In crocodile newts, this implies weak dispersal and local adaptation as contributing factors of isolation, and was accompanied by macro- and micro-evolutionary changes in reproductive behaviours. Specifically, our resolved phylogeny of Tylototriton allowed the tracing of a major shift from conserved habits of terrestrial clutch-spawning towards more plastic strategies involving both aquatic and land spawning of single eggs. Using this framework, we then revised the taxonomy of crocodile newts by describing a new subgenus and two new species. Our study provides a basis to guide future phylogeographic, speciation and conservation research on these iconic amphibians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastline vegetation cover monitoring is critical for human survival because of plants are known as the most important dunes stabilizer. Evaluation of vegetation using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) was carried out in some areas of the Truong Sa Islands (Truong Sa island: A1; Nam Yet island: A2; Sinh Ton island: A3; Son Ca island: A4; Song Tu Tay island: A5). The study's primary goal was to analyze salt-tolerant plants based on a data field survey conducted between 2020–2022 using an analysis of Sentinel-2 images taken between 2016 and 2021. Most of the islands show an increase in vegetation cover. Overall, plant species have mostly grown on dunes and sandy soil: (1) Herbaceous plants are dominated by Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R.Br., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Rob.; (2) Shrubland communities are dominated by Poaceae, Asteraceae, Goodeniaceae families; (3) Group of woody plants are dominated by Heliotropium arboreum (Blanco) Mabb., Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L., Casuarina equisetifolia L., Terminalia catappa L., Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb. Results have shown that the islands located in the northern latitudes have more diverse flora than the islands in the southern part. The size of these coral islands has expanded from 2016 to 2021, leading to the growth of vegetation coverage and biodiversity support for human and societal needs. This study provides important data to expand further studies to islands in different latitudes, actively supporting biodiversity management and protecting remote islands' soil and sand resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco users disproportionately reside in lower-and-middle income countries, with many people beginning consumption of tobacco in adolescence. Countries employ interventions in schools as a means of providing health education thereby creating mass awareness among them. However, research has mostly restricted to developed nations.To examine the impact of interventions implemented in preventing tobacco uptake among adolescents in school setting in South-East Asia region.The protocol was registered prospectively on PROSPERO (CRD42022337341). Systematic search was conducted on 6 databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest and Web of Science. Randomized Control Trials (RCT) and Cluster RCT conducted in school set-up in South-East Asia among adolescents below 18 years’ age were included. Articles between timeline 2002–2022 were considered.From a total of 963 articles, total of 13 studies were included. Four were RCT, while nine were Cluster RCT. Most of the studies were targeted at change in prevalence, followed change in knowledge and attitude towards tobacco and impact on susceptibility to use tobacco. Nine studies had interventions based on Health Promoting School Framework, three were Peer-led Interventions and one was Counsellor-centred Intervention. Risk of Bias assessment revealed eight studies had low risk of bias, two had some concerns while three were high risk studies.Interventions that focus on building a holistic environment and go beyond the usual classroom environment have primarily been implemented and found to be effective in this region. There is a need for strong, high-quality RCT studies with standardised evaluation techniques to combat tobacco use among adolescents.Objective: Tobacco users disproportionately reside in lower-and-middle income countries, with many people beginning consumption of tobacco in adolescence. Countries employ interventions in schools as a means of providing health education thereby creating mass awareness among them. However, research has mostly restricted to developed nations.To examine the impact of interventions implemented in preventing tobacco uptake among adolescents in school setting in South-East Asia region.The protocol was registered prospectively on PROSPERO (CRD42022337341). Systematic search was conducted on 6 databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest and Web of Science. Randomized Control Trials (RCT) and Cluster RCT conducted in school set-up in South-East Asia among adolescents below 18 years’ age were included. Articles between timeline 2002–2022 were considered.From a total of 963 articles, total of 13 studies were included. Four were RCT, while nine were Cluster RCT. Most of the studies were targeted at change in prevalence, followed change in knowledge and attitude towards tobacco and impact on susceptibility to use tobacco. Nine studies had interventions based on Health Promoting School Framework, three were Peer-led Interventions and one was Counsellor-centred Intervention. Risk of Bias assessment revealed eight studies had low risk of bias, two had some concerns while three were high risk studies.Interventions that focus on building a holistic environment and go beyond the usual classroom environment have primarily been implemented and found to be effective in this region. There is a need for strong, high-quality RCT studies with standardised evaluation techniques to combat tobacco use among adolescents.Method: Tobacco users disproportionately reside in lower-and-middle income countries, with many people beginning consumption of tobacco in adolescence. Countries employ interventions in schools as a means of providing health education thereby creating mass awareness among them. However, research has mostly restricted to developed nations.To examine the impact of interventions implemented in preventing tobacco uptake among adolescents in school setting in South-East Asia region.The protocol was registered prospectively on PROSPERO (CRD42022337341). Systematic search was conducted on 6 databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest and Web of Science. Randomized Control Trials (RCT) and Cluster RCT conducted in school set-up in South-East Asia among adolescents below 18 years’ age were included. Articles between timeline 2002–2022 were considered.From a total of 963 articles, total of 13 studies were included. Four were RCT, while nine were Cluster RCT. Most of the studies were targeted at change in prevalence, followed change in knowledge and attitude towards tobacco and impact on susceptibility to use tobacco. Nine studies had interventions based on Health Promoting School Framework, three were Peer-led Interventions and one was Counsellor-centred Intervention. Risk of Bias assessment revealed eight studies had low risk of bias, two had some concerns while three were high risk studies.Interventions that focus on building a holistic environment and go beyond the usual classroom environment have primarily been implemented and found to be effective in this region. There is a need for strong, high-quality RCT studies with standardised evaluation techniques to combat tobacco use among adolescents.Results: Tobacco users disproportionately reside in lower-and-middle income countries, with many people beginning consumption of tobacco in adolescence. Countries employ interventions in schools as a means of providing health education thereby creating mass awareness among them. However, research has mostly restricted to developed nations.To examine the impact of interventions implemented in preventing tobacco uptake among adolescents in school setting in South-East Asia region.The protocol was registered prospectively on PROSPERO (CRD42022337341). Systematic search was conducted on 6 databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest and Web of Science. Randomized Control Trials (RCT) and Cluster RCT conducted in school set-up in South-East Asia among adolescents below 18 years’ age were included. Articles between timeline 2002–2022 were considered.From a total of 963 articles, total of 13 studies were included. Four were RCT, while nine were Cluster RCT. Most of the studies were targeted at change in prevalence, followed change in knowledge and attitude towards tobacco and impact on susceptibility to use tobacco. Nine studies had interventions based on Health Promoting School Framework, three were Peer-led Interventions and one was Counsellor-centred Intervention. Risk of Bias assessment revealed eight studies had low risk of bias, two had some concerns while three were high risk studies.Interventions that focus on building a holistic environment and go beyond the usual classroom environment have primarily been implemented and found to be effective in this region. There is a need for strong, high-quality RCT studies with standardised evaluation techniques to combat tobacco use among adolescents.Conclusion: Tobacco users disproportionately reside in lower-and-middle income countries, with many people beginning consumption of tobacco in adolescence. Countries employ interventions in schools as a means of providing health education thereby creating mass awareness among them. However, research has mostly restricted to developed nations.To examine the impact of interventions implemented in preventing tobacco uptake among adolescents in school setting in South-East Asia region.The protocol was registered prospectively on PROSPERO (CRD42022337341). Systematic search was conducted on 6 databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest and Web of Science. Randomized Control Trials (RCT) and Cluster RCT conducted in school set-up in South-East Asia among adolescents below 18 years’ age were included. Articles between timeline 2002–2022 were considered.From a total of 963 articles, total of 13 studies were included. Four were RCT, while nine were Cluster RCT. Most of the studies were targeted at change in prevalence, followed change in knowledge and attitude towards tobacco and impact on susceptibility to use tobacco. Nine studies had interventions based on Health Promoting School Framework, three were Peer-led Interventions and one was Counsellor-centred Intervention. Risk of Bias assessment revealed eight studies had low risk of bias, two had some concerns while three were high risk studies.Interventions that focus on building a holistic environment and go beyond the usual classroom environment have primarily been implemented and found to be effective in this region. There is a need for strong, high-quality RCT studies with standardised evaluation techniques to combat tobacco use among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Caesalpinia group demonstrated that it comprises 26 genera, but the recognition of a putative 27th genus, Ticanto, remained in doubt. This study presents a phylogenetic analysis of ITS and five plastid loci revealing a robustly supported monophyletic group representing the Ticanto clade, sister to the morphologically distinct genus Pterolobium. Based upon this evidence, along with a morphological evaluation, the genus Ticanto is here reinstated. Descriptions are provided for all nine species of Ticanto, together with a key to the species, maps, and colour photographs. Nine new combinations are made: Ticanto caesia (Hand.-Mazz.) R. Clark & Gagnon, T. crista (L.) R. Clark & Gagnon, T. elliptifolia (S. J. Li, Z. Y. Chen & D. X. Zhang) R. Clark & Gagnon, T. magnifoliolata (Metcalf) R. Clark & Gagnon, T. rhombifolia R. Clark & Gagnon, T. sinensis (Hemsl.) R. Clark & Gagnon, T. szechuenensis (Craib) R. Clark & Gagnon, T. vernalis (Champion ex Benth.) R. Clark & Gagnon and T. yunnanensis (S. J. Li, D. X. Zhang & Z.Y. Chen) R. Clark & Gagnon. The final major question in the delimitation of segregate genera from within Caesalpinia sensu lato and the Caesalpinia group is thus resolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South-east Asia is home to exceptional biodiversity, but threats to vertebrate species are disproportionately high in this region. The IUCN Species Survival Commission Asian Species Action Partnership aims to avert species extinctions. Strengthening individual and organizational capacity is key to achieving long-term, sustainable conservation impact, and is a core strategic intervention for the Partnership. To look at the needs and opportunities for developing capacity for species conservation in South-east Asia, we undertook a needs assessment with organizations implementing species conservation within this region. We conducted a review of available training opportunities, mapping them against a list of identified competences needed for species conservation to determine gaps in current training. Our assessments revealed an imbalance in the focus of training opportunities vs the actual competences needed for effective species conservation, and that training opportunities within South-east Asia are limited in number and highly competitive. These findings corroborate other similar reviews, particularly on capacity gaps in the Global South. We discuss the implications of our review and use the findings to generate recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of autonomous vessel has achieved tremendous interest across the world for the safe navigation and economic benefits. Numerous alternatives are constructed in the autonomous vessel development projects, the alternatives of MUNIN and NYK project are combined for this study; these are - Manned autonomous vessel, Remotely controlled vessel, Autonomous and Partially remote-controlled vessel, and Full autonomous vessel. As the statistics of UNCTAD shows that South-East Asia is a highly dense region and has the busiest international maritime connectivity, this research tried to select the appropriate autonomous vessels from the four alternatives to ensure safe navigation in this traffic congested maritime route. For this study, 311 accident reports are investigated to find out the most frequent casualty and its cause. The data are collected from the global integrated shipping information system of the international maritime organization's website. The decision tree of R-studio demonstrates that the most frequent accidents are- Collision, Grounding, Fire, and listing. Afterwards a survey was made on 65 experienced seafarers to determine which autonomous vessel criteria would be compatible to avoid the casualty. This research adopts AHP (analytical hierarchy process) to conduct the analysis. AHP is a multi-criteria decision analysis method for solving any decision problem. The research shows that 'Manned autonomous vessel' and 'Autonomous and Partially remote-controlled vessel' are the appropriate alternatives for safe navigation in the South-East Asian region. This study will help the researcher who is working in autonomous vessel development, mainly working for Asian water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is emerging in the newly industrialized countries of South Asia, South‐East Asia, and the Middle East, yet epidemiological data are scarce. Methods: We performed a cross‐sectional study of IBD demographics, disease phenotype, and treatment across 38 centers in 15 countries of South Asia, South‐East Asia, and Middle East. Intergroup comparisons included gross national income (GNI) per capita. Results: Among 10 400 patients, ulcerative colitis (UC) was twice as common as Crohn's disease (CD), with a male predominance (UC 6678, CD 3495, IBD unclassified 227, and 58% male). Peak age of onset was in the third decade, with a low proportion of elderly‐onset IBD (5% age > 60). Familial IBD was rare (5%). The extent of UC was predominantly distal (proctitis/left sided 67%), with most being treated with mesalamine (94%), steroids (54%), or immunomodulators (31%). Ileocolic CD (43%) was the commonest, with low rates of perianal disease (8%) and only 6% smokers. Diagnostic delay for CD was common (median 12 months; interquartile range 5–30). Treatment of CD included mesalamine, steroids, and immunomodulators (61%, 51%, and 56%, respectively), but a fifth received empirical antitubercular therapy. Treatment with biologics was uncommon (4% UC and 13% CD), which increased in countries with higher GNI per capita. Surgery rates were 0.1 (UC) and 2 (CD) per 100 patients per year. Conclusions: The IBD‐ENC cohort provides insight into IBD in South‐East Asia and the Middle East, but is not yet population based. UC is twice as common as CD, familial disease is uncommon, and rates of surgery are low. Biologic use correlates with per capita GNI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases have been shown to disproportionately affect indigenous populations. Tuberculosis (TB) and malaria continue to impose a significant burden on humanity and are among the infectious diseases targeted within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A systematic review and meta-analyses were undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of TB and malaria infections within minority indigenous populations of the South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions. The review was undertaken in accordance with The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines following a published protocol. A random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the pooled prevalence of TB and malaria. A meta-regression analysis was applied to quantify associations with study covariates and a sub-group analysis undertaken where studies provided comparative data between minority indigenous and other population groups. From the 3,275 unique publications identified, 24 on TB, and 39 on malaria were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of TB was 2.3% (95% CI: 1.7, 2.9) and the pooled prevalence of malaria was 19.9% (95% CI: 15.9, 24.2). There was significant (p = 0.000) heterogeneity (I2) between studies. Significant difference was not observed in TB and malaria prevalence between minority indigenous and other population groups, although the odds ratio of malaria infection in minority indigenous populations was 1.15 (95% CI 0.99, 1.34: p-value 0.06) compared to other population groups. The review identified a paucity of data on TB and malaria in minority indigenous populations despite the significant prevalence and burden of these diseases within these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information on cost-effectiveness allows policy-makers to evaluate if they are using currently available resources effectively and efficiently. Our objective is to examine the cost-effectiveness of health interventions to improve maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) outcomes, to provide global evidence relative to the context of two geographic regions. Methods: We consider interventions across the life course from adolescence to pregnancy and for children up to 5 years old. Interventions included are those that fall within the areas of immunization, child healthcare, nutrition, reproductive health, and maternal/newborn health, and for which it possible to model impact on MNCH mortality outcomes using the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). Generalized cost-effectiveness analysis (GCEA) was used to derive average cost-effectiveness ratios (ACERs) for individual interventions and combinations (packages). Costs were assessed from the health system perspective and reported in international dollars. Health outcomes were estimated and reported as the gain in healthy life years (HLYs) due to the specific intervention or combination. The model was run for 2 regions: Eastern sub-Saharan Africa (SSA-E) and South-East Asia (SEA). Results: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended interventions to improve MNCH are generally considered cost-effective, with the majority of interventions demonstrating ACERs below I$100/HLY saved in the chosen settings (lowand middle-income countries [LMICs]). Best performing interventions are consistent across the two regions, and include family planning, neonatal resuscitation, management of pneumonia and neonatal infection, vitamin A supplementation, and measles vaccine. ACERs below I$100 can be found across all delivery platforms, from community to hospital level. The combination of interventions into packages (such as antenatal care) produces favorable ACERs. Conclusion: Within each region there are interventions which represent very good value for money. There are opportunities to gear investments towards high-impact interventions and packages for MNCH outcomes. Cost-effectiveness tools can be used at national level to inform investment cases and overall priority setting processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the applicability of the Just Transition Transaction (JTT), initially developed as a financial mechanism for South Africa's energy transition, to Southeast Asian (SEA) countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, which heavily rely on coal. Utilizing South Africa as a reference case study, we deconstruct the JTT and develop a novel framework of necessary and conducive features for evaluating its suitability for supporting a just energy transition in SEA. Our findings suggest that the JTT is well-suited for Indonesia and Vietnam but not as well suited for the Philippines. Recommendations for specific research avenues in estimating baselines and aligning emissions trajectories are provided. Finally, we propose a tiered JTT model to encourage a supranational transition in SEA and suggest the potential application of our methods for assessing similar mechanisms in other coal-reliant developing countries. • Use South Africa as Case Study to investigate JTT transition finance mechanism • Develop framework of necessary and conducive features of JTT • Use this framework to evaluate JTT's suitability for energy transition in SEA • JTT suitable for Indonesia and Vietnam, not as suitable for Philippines • Tiered JTT a suitable model to encourage transition at supranational level in SEA [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial inclusion is one of the biggest impediments to growth in South-east Asia. Access to financial products or even financial institutions is very limited in some countries, constraining both individual and company access to capital. This phenomenon has only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is especially problematic for those individuals and companies with largely offline businesses. This paper argues that the roots of change are starting to take hold, as payment service providers and business-to-business players are helping bridge the digital divide. Payments services are increasingly likely not to be standalone products, but rather to include a myriad of both financial and non-financial products and services that can help individuals and companies increase their economic empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urgent conservation action for terminally endangered species is sometimes hampered by taxonomic uncertainty, especially in illegally traded animals that are often cross‐bred in captivity. To overcome these problems, we used a genomic approach to analyze historical DNA from museum samples across the Asian Pied Starling (Gracupica contra) complex in tropical Asia, a popular victim of the ongoing songbird crisis whose distinct Javan population ("Javan Pied Starling") is extinct in the wild and subject to admixture in captivity. Comparing genomic profiles across the entire distribution, we detected three deeply diverged lineages at the species level characterized by a lack of genomic intermediacy near areas of contact. Our study demonstrates that the use of historical DNA can be instrumental in delimiting species in situations of taxonomic uncertainty, especially when modern admixture may obfuscate species boundaries. Results of our research will enable conservationists to commence a dedicated ex situ breeding program for the Javan Pied Starling, and serve as a blueprint for similar conservation problems involving terminally endangered species subject to allelic infiltration from close congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Financing healthcare and achieve sustainable development goals by 2030 is the prime focus of many low-income and middle income countries. Improved public healthcare and reduce the burden of out-of-pocket health expenditure is the overarching public health policy objective across the Asia-Pacific region. This study examines the impact of fiscal capacity on health expenditure by controlling socio-economic factors in South-East Asia for the period of 1995–2013. We have employed a panel fixed effects regression model in order to capture country-level unobserved heterogeneity and macroeconomic policy changes in the health sector. Overall result shows that annual change in per capita government health expenditure (pooled financing) is influenced positively by the per capita income, fiscal capacity, ageing, and the prevalence of tuberculosis and rate of urbanization. The income elasticity of government health expenditure is less than one, which implies that the health expenditure is treated as a necessity for the public health providers. Overall empirical analysis concludes that pooled financing mechanism positively influenced by the size of fiscal capacity thereby the share of out-of-pocket health expenditure to total health expenditure declines over the period. The result suggests that the faster movement towards health financing transition would possible through the generation of fiscal capacity by improving public finance policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reef‐building oysters historically provided the main structural and ecological component of temperate and subtropical coastal waters globally. While the loss of oyster reefs is documented in most regions globally, assessments of the status of Asian oyster reefs are limited. The feasibility of restoration within the regional biological and societal contexts needs to be assessed before implementation. Here, we quantified the current distribution of natural oyster reefs (Crassostrea spp.) in the shallow coastal waters of Hong Kong, assessed the biological feasibility of reestablishing reefs using natural recruitment, and examined their current and potential water filtration capacity as a key ecosystem service provided by restoration. We found natural low‐relief oyster beds in the low intertidal coastal areas at a subset of the locations surveyed. These areas are, however, degraded and have sparse densities of oysters generally <2 years old. Recruitment was high in some areas (>500,000 indiv./m2) and while survival to maturity varied across sites there was adequate larval supply and survival for restoration. Filtration rates for a 1‐year‐old recruit (90 mm length, approximately 30 L/hour per individual) at summer temperatures (30°C) meant that even the small remnant populations are able to provide some filtration services (up to 31.7 ML/hour). High natural recruitment means that oyster reef restoration can be achieved with the addition of hard substrate for recruitment, increased protection of restoration sites, and would not only increase the ecological value of reefs regionally but also serve as a model for future restoration in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decapod family Penaeidae comprises most of the economically important marine shrimp species. Its members are widespread throughout the world, with its highest species diversity centred in the Indo‐West Pacific region. Despite this importance, their taxonomy, classification and phylogeny are not yet settled due in part to incongruence among hypotheses proposed from molecular versus morphological studies. In this study, using a thorough taxonomic sampling of especially the South‐East Asian species, we aim to (a) utilize a reconstructed phylogeny to test the monophyly of the Penaeidae and its currently recognized genera and (b) explore its species diversity in South‐East Asian waters. To infer the phylogeny, a combined gene data set (including 109 ingroup and six outgroup taxa) of mitochondrial genes, COI and 16S rRNA, and two nuclear genes, NaK and PEPCK, was utilized. To explore its diversity, another data set that included 371 COI gene sequences (231 newly generated and 140 retrieved from public sources) was compiled and subsequently analysed with two different tools (ABGD and bPTP) for species delimitation. Other than supporting the non‐monophyly of the Penaeidae with the Sicyoniidae nested within the penaeid tribe Trachypenaeini, the genera Penaeus, Mierspenaeopsis and Parapenaeopsis were also revealed to be polyphyletic. Our species delimitation analysis inferred that 94 putative species actually existed within the 71 morphospecies reviewed, indicating an underestimated biodiversity in this family and the potential presence of new species within the following morphospecies: Kishinouyepenaeopsis cornuta, K. incisa, Mierspenaeopsis sculptilis, M hardwicki, Parapenaeopsis coromandelica and Penaeus monodon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School health promotion in South‐East Asia has developed rapidly in recent years, and Japan has been one of the significant contributors to the reinforcement of school health promotion in the region. Starting from the Hashimoto Initiative on global parasite control, Japan advocated for international partnerships with several agencies for the development of school health programs in South‐East Asia. Through a strengthened collaboration with international organizations, countries such as the Lao PDR, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand have created and implemented school health programs on nutrition, sanitation, and deworming, among others. In addition to school health program formulation and implementation, the expanded network in South‐East Asia led to more capable school health personnel, with many workers in the education and health sectors benefitting from the training programs jointly held by collaborating organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burning and stabbing pain in the feet and lower limbs can have a significant impact on the activities of daily living, including walking, climbing stairs and sleeping. Peripheral neuropathy in particular is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed because of a lack of awareness amongst both patients and physicians. Furthermore, crude screening tools, such as the 10‐g monofilament, only detect advanced neuropathy and a normal test will lead to false reassurance of those with small fiber mediated painful neuropathy. The underestimation of peripheral neuropathy is highly prevalent in the South‐East Asia region due to a lack of consensus guidance on routine screening and diagnostic pathways. Although neuropathy as a result of diabetes is the most common cause in the region, other causes due to infections (human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B or C virus), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, drug‐induced neuropathy (cancer chemotherapy, antiretrovirals and antituberculous drugs) and vitamin deficiencies (vitamin B1, B6, B12, D) should be actively excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High numbers of children and adolescents in South‐East Asia are traumatized by either natural disasters or human‐made violence. Addressing traumatic sequelae in local populations with empirically based trauma treatments is challenged by the insufficiency inappropriately trained mental health provision. To meet this need for qualified therapists, the humanitarian/trauma capacity‐building organization, Trauma Aid Germany, trained 37 therapists in psychotraumatology, including trauma stabilization. This study analyses the impact of trauma stabilization as a sole treatment intervention for post‐traumatic stress (PTS) problems in children and adolescents. Each client was screened for PTS problems pre‐ and post‐treatment using the Child Behaviour Checklist. Trauma stabilization (including psychoeducation) was the focus for subsequent data analysis. Those excluded were clients in receipt of trauma confrontation interventions. Trauma stabilization, as a sole treatment intervention, appeared to be sufficiently effective in reducing the PTS problems. The data set suggests that trauma stabilization has the potential to be effective, efficient, and sufficient treatment intervention for PTS problems in children and adolescents. Trauma stabilization techniques have the advantage of being relatively straightforward to teach and easy to integrate into practice. They are clinically safe, flexible, adaptable to the development stage and age of the client, and culturally and spiritually sensitive. A further advantage of trauma stabilization interventions is that they are bespoke – adjusted and adapted to the specific needs of the client. The discussion considers the implications for the potential utilization of mental health nurses and paraprofessionals in low‐ and middle‐income countries in trauma stabilization interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on adjudication of Muslim family law in countries that range from the Middle East and North Africa to South-East Asia. It begins by shortly summarizing the development of shari'a in pre-modern times, up until the 19th century. We discuss the basic features of marriage among classical jurists and argue that the close connection known today between the family and Islamic law can be traced to the emergence of modern nation states and centralizing state structures. We then provide a description of important personal status reforms during the 20th and 21st centuries and consider the growing body of scholarship that engages with adjudication of Muslim family law in action and in context. Finally, we consider the contribution that the articles contained in the special double issue make to the field of research, including the questions of gender and judicial authority, religion-based judicial activism, and the courts' involvement in larger socio-political processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable forest management in South-East Asia is challenged by smallholder livestock husbandry as farmers supplement insufficient on-farm forage with resources extracted from forests. This study assesses which determinants affect forest resource extraction by investigating teak forest usage by Indonesian cattle farmers. Based on a survey of 600 smallholders, we provide an overview of which resources are extracted, assess the factors influencing the likelihood of becoming a forest user group member and analyse characteristics that differ between members and non-members as well as the effect of membership on extraction frequency. Almost half of the farmers collect animal forage and heating material from teak forests or farm forestland. Two thirds of farmers who extract resources are not institutionally organized. Increasing distance to forests as well as diversity of extraction are found to be related with increased odds for highest extraction frequency. Group members differ from non-members mainly in the number of resources extracted as well as the usage of forest grass as a main forage source. Farmers are more likely to be group members with increasing farm size and poverty levels. Socio-economic benefits obtained from group membership should be redesigned so that more smallholders are motivated to join this governance scheme. If sustainable forest management schemes are scaled up to agroforestry-based agricultural intensification, a broad set of national and international benefits could be realized. • Forage, wood, and forestland are the most frequently used forest resources. • Farmers specialized in cattle keeping are less likely to join forest user groups. • Poor farmers are more likely to be member of forest user groups. • Developing social and economic benefits for smallholders will incentivize group membership. • Incentivizing farmers to specialize on feed production can reduce unsustainable forest extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world has witnessed the emergence of radical and extremist ideology which poses a threat to international security by influencing society towards excessive acts. Radical and extremist ideology is not only limited to certain territories but covers the entire Islamic world including South-east Asia. The evolution of ideologies from the West based on a doctrine of violence leads to conflict or clash of cultures and civilization, especially for societies in South-east Asia. Hence, the purpose of this article is to identify the forms of radical and extremist threat which apply specifically in South-east Asia. In addition, this writing aims to identify methods or measures in handling the issue of radicalism and extremism which occurs in South-east Asian states. Writing methodology is qualitative with a historical and current phenomena approach based on data findings through literature review and document analysis. Research findings conclude that radical and extremist ideology poses a threat to society and state so as to challenge multiculturism policy of a state. The push and pull factor also plays a role in spreading this ideology within society Therefore, this article attempts to bring a reply narrative based on pro-active methods and measures in the prevention of and dealing with this complex global issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indonesian species of the family Signiphoridae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) are revised. Three species of Chartocerus are described as new (Chartocerus kartiniae Polaszek & Schmidt, sp. nov., C. sumatrensis Schmidt & Polaszek, sp. nov., and C. javensis Schmidt & Ubaidillah, sp. nov.) and four species of Signiphora, viz., S. bennetti Woolley & Dal Molin, S. flavella Girault, S. perpauca Girault and S. bifasciata Ashmead, are diagnosed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life history traits of Hampala macrolepidota, a common freshwater fish species in Southeast Asia that is of interest for fisheries and sport fishing, were estimated for a population from Nam Theun 2 Reservoir in Lao. The exploitation status of this species was also characterized using data from landing. Toluidinestained transverse section of otoliths from 450 specimens, collected between November 2015 and January 2017 (by experimental gillnet fishing and landing surveys), were analysed to identify the periodicity of annulus formation and to age individuals. Length, weight, sex and sexual maturity stage were recorded. Life history traits were characterized by length-weight and length-age relationships. The periodicity of annulus formation was annual, with complete formation of the translucent zone at the end of the warm and dry season and the beginning of the warm and wet season (May-June). The length at first sexual maturity of females was estimated to occur at a standard length of 212 mm and at 3.3 years old (50% of matured females). The condition factor, which was between 1.04 and 1.09, was lower than for other studied populations. H. macrolepidota in the Nam Theun 2 Reservoir had a relatively slow growth (0.24 yr-1) with a relatively short lifespan (maximum age of approximately 9 years old). The species exploitation in the reservoir mainly concerned individuals that had a standard length between 120 and 220 mm, meaning that 67% of landed individuals did not have time to reproduce before capture. The exploitation rate was 0.87, and according to the probability of capture, individuals had 50% chances of being caught after 182.5 mm, preventing them from taking part in the stock renewal. The present study suggests that the H. macrolepidota population in the reservoir is overexploited. These new findings should be considered for further improvements in fishery management and the sustainability of fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While temnospondyl fossils have been relatively well documented in the Western world and Africa; research on temnospondyl fossils in South-East Asia and India has received less attention. Nonetheless, they add a substantial amount to the record of palaeobiogeographic distribution of the Triassic temnospondyl amphibians. During the Triassic, almost every temnospondyl family (aside from dissorophoids) was present in India. According to the findings, the assemblage and species diversity of Triassic temnospondyl amphibians peaked in the Early Triassic. With climatic stability and ecological saturation in the Middle and Late Triassic, diversification slowed down or gradually decreased. The Jaccard Similarity coefficient of the Triassic temnospondyl contents in South-East Asia and India shows an agreement in palaeobiogeography; the coefficients reflect the geography of Pangea. According to the Euler diagram, the junction of the Triassic temnospondyls in South-East Asia and India indicates that these regions of India did not have endemic Triassic temnospondyl populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In January 2017, two villages located in Rakhine State of Myanmar reported clinical signs in cattle suggestive of foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection. Laboratory analysis identified the outbreak virus as FMDV serotype Asia 1, which represented the first detection of this serotype in Myanmar since 2005 and in the region of South‐East Asia (SEA) since 2007. Genetic analysis revealed that the outbreak virus was different from historical viruses from Myanmar and was more closely related to viruses circulating in Bangladesh and India during 2012–2013, indicating that a novel viral introduction had occurred. The precise origin of the outbreaks was not clear, but frequent informal livestock trade with South Asia was reported. Responses to the outbreaks involved disinfection, quarantine and animal movement restrictions; no further outbreaks were detected under the present passive surveillance system. Detection of serotype Asia 1 highlights the complex and dynamic nature of FMDV in SEA. Active surveillance is needed to assess the extent and distribution of this exotic Asia 1 strain and continued vigilance to timely detect the occurrence of emerging and re‐emerging FMDV strains is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological traits of Oreochromis niloticus were studied in order to identify potential differences between the population of the Nam Theun 2 Reservoir and other populations in Asia and in Africa. The study also aimed to characterize the demographic structure of the exploited population by fisheries in the reservoir. Toluidine-stained transverse section of otoliths from 322 specimens, collected between November 2015 and January 2017, were analysed to identify the periodicity of annulus formation and to age individuals. Length, weight, sex and sexual maturity stage were recorded. Life history traits were characterized by length-weight and lengthage relationships. The periodicity of annulus formation was annual, with complete formation of the translucent zone at the beginning of the warm and wet season (June and July). The length-age key has been established and was composed of 9 age classes, ranging from 0 to 8 years old. Males showed positive allometric growth whereas juveniles and females exhibited isometric growth. The study showed an asymptotic standard length of 658 mm and a low growth rate (K = 0.08 year-1). The sex ratio was equilibrated, and first maturity of females was at 277 mm standard length. The population was composed of individuals aged 3 years old and older, and 60% of the landings were composed of individuals aged 5 years and older. The growth rate was lower than for Asian and African populations, and the age-length key provided was specific to the studied reservoir. However, some biological traits of the O. niloticus population were similar to those found for other population in the world: (i) formation of an annual annulus during the reproduction period, at the beginning of the warm and wet season like populations from subtropical countries, and (ii) an isometric or a positive allometric growth as seen in populations that were not overexploited and were living in favourable environmental conditions. Therefore, the present study suggests that the O. niloticus population of the NT2 Reservoir was not overexploited at the time of the survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide with South-East Asian countries jointly contributes to nearly one-third of the global cervical cancer burden. The objective of this study is to review and determine the knowledge, attitude, also barriers among people in developing countries of South East Asia region towards human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination against cervical cancer. We performed a literature search for published articles in English that reported about knowledge, attitudes and barriers towards HPV vaccination in developing countries of South-East Asia on UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2018 classification, prior to recent years (2008-2018). Terms and keywords relevant to knowledge attitudes towards HPV vaccination were used in a search of the electronic database. A total of 120 studies were initially identified and 10 studies were finally selected that met all eligibility criteria. The percentage of knowledge on availability of HPV vaccine to protect women against cervical cancer was varied from 7.8-97.5%. Meanwhile the positive attitude percentage ranged from 36.1-92.1%. Some barriers of taking HPV vaccination were because of afraid by the side effects, needle and/ or any other safety issues, believed that the vaccine needed only when symptom appears, embarrassment and unaffordable price. Our study find even while levels of knowledge are generally low, individuals are still willing to receive vaccination against HPV. The barriers reflect the importance of immediate implementation of educational campaigns before vaccination is made available through a national HPV vaccination program. It may improve uptake of vaccination and its effectiveness to people in each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In South‐East Asia, rapid land use changes in recent decades have raised concerns for biodiversity and soil conservation. Weeds provide many ecosystemic services for soil protection and support biodiversity, and could mitigate the negative effects of intensification. We investigated the changes in weed assemblages and weed–soil interactions on a chronosequence from annual crops to mature rubber tree plantations. We sampled five fields for each of four land uses in mountainous northern Thailand (rainfed upland rice, maize, young rubber tree (RT) intercropped with maize, and mature RT). We characterized weed assemblages (abundance, richness) and soil properties (bulk density, water, carbon and nitrogen content). Rice had the most diverse and abundant weed assemblages. Weed assemblages differed between (i) rice, (ii) maize and young RT with maize and (iii) mature RT. Soil water content was the highest in mature RT. Other soil properties varied strongly within and among fields, and did not vary significantly among land uses. Water and nitrogen content increased overall with living soil cover but decreased with weed species richness in mature RT. Such interactions could provide a basis for sustainable weeding practices favourable to soil and biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the Pleistocene of South-east Asia, the 'savannah corridor' hypothesis put forward by Lawrence Heaney in 1991 on the basis of a few pollen records rightly aroused a certain amount of enthusiasm and was the source of many attempts to confirm or refute a significant regression in forest cover, depending on the taxa considered, during the Last Glacial Maximum. The work carried out to verify this hypothesis used a number of tools, including palaeontology, the results of which seem to us to have been greatly embellished given the paucity of reliable data available. Indeed, it is clear that the hypothesis concerns a geographical area that is largely inaccessible today, located at a depth of 120 meters in the South China Sea, and that the faunal assemblages taken into account remain imperfectly defined to allow such a hypothesis to be tested. We provide a summary of the main work carried out to date and a critical assessment of the articles published over the last few decades. It emerges that the fossil series considered (essentially mammals) are neither well chronologically set nor well defined from a taphonomic point of view, notably because they are based on unsatisfactory references, which are themselves poorly dated or based on mixtures of different faunas. These shortcomings also call into question the renewed and attractive hypothesis of the flexibility of the diet and change of habitat (ecological niche) of certain taxa, based on isotopic analyses, as recently proposed. We advocate the implementation of systematic fine excavations that take into account the taphonomy of the sites, but also show that progress has been made to go further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Przeworski et al.’s paradigmatic work on democracy and development as a touchstone, this review examines East Asia’s lessons for comparative politics. It focuses particularly on the challenges that China and South-East Asia present for modernization theory, a foundation stone of political science. In most of the rich world, including north-east Asian cases of modernization such as Korea and Taiwan, economic development and democratization have tended to go hand in hand. In South-East Asia, by contrast, almost none of the expected relationships between democracy and development seems to work. The most striking anomaly of all today is China, which appears to be moving ever further away from democratic reform as it grows richer. This disjuncture between theory and practice is explored, along with other, more positive, East Asian contributions to scholarship on democracy and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing urbanization, urban-fragmented landscapes are becoming more and more prevalent worldwide. Such fragmentation may lead to small, isolated populations that face great threats from genetic factors that affect even avian species with high dispersal propensities. Yet few studies have investigated the population genetics of species living within urban-fragmented landscapes in the Old World tropics, in spite of the high levels of deforestation and fragmentation within this region. We investigated the evolutionary history and population genetics of the olive-winged bulbul ( Pycnonotus plumosus) in Singapore, a highly urbanized island which retains <5% of its original forest cover in fragments. Combining our own collected and sequenced samples with those from the literature, we conducted phylogenetic and population genetic analyses. We revealed high genetic diversity, evidence for population expansion, and potential presence of pronounced gene flow across the population in Singapore. This suggests increased chances of long-term persistence for the olive-winged bulbul and the ecosystem services it provides within this landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The clinical features of acute PE have not been well studied in South-East Asia. We therefore sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in our region. Methods From January 2008 to March 2013, 343 patients were admitted to our tertiary institution with acute PE. Data were collected retrospectively on baseline clinical characteristics, presenting signs and symptoms, results of electrocardiographic and imaging studies, therapeutic modality and hospital course. Results 91% of the patients presented with submassive PE. 6.1% of patients had saddle PE. The most common presenting symptom was dyspnea (72.3%) followed by chest pain (12.8%), hemoptysis (2.6%), syncope (2.6%) and cardiovascular collapse (1.2%). Risk factors for PE were idiopathic cause (33.5%), immobilization (21%), malignancy (6.1%) and hypercoagulable state (2.9%). The overall in-hospital mortality was 5%. Factors associated with mortality were massive PE, tachycardia at presentation, right ventricular dysfunction and cardiogenic shock. Bleeding complications occurred in 10.2% of patients (major bleeding in 3.5%). Conclusion Acute PE in the South-East Asian patients is associated with an overall mortality rate of 5%. The bleeding complications from treatment are also high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between revenue and expenditure in the ASEAN countries. Using annual data for the period between 1980 and 2012 in ten member states, a long-run relationship between government expenditure and revenue emerges, both in ASEAN-6 and ASEAN-10 countries. Granger causality analysis shows mixed results, even though for five ASEAN countries the predominance of 'tax-and-spend' hypothesis exists, given that government revenue drives the expenditure. Moreover, mixture models seem to produce homogeneous groups, considering the socio-economic structure, welfare state, and historical aspects. Finally, convergence measures show interesting results, confirming the sample's heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]