Asia Research Articles

Oral rabies vaccination of foxes in Türkiye, 2019–2022

BackgroundRabies in Turkey is maintained by dogs, but following a sustained spill-over, red fox mediated rabies had spread from the Aegean region to the central part of Türkiye. During the past four years from 2019 to 2023 large scale efforts used oral rabies vaccination (ORV) to control rabies in red foxes. Here, we present the results of the largest ORV campaign on the Asian continent. MethodsORV campaigns were carried out twice a year in spring and autumn with a targeted bait density of 20–23 baits/km2. Monitoring of ORV campaigns included the GIS-based analyses of bait distribution, the assessment of bait uptake through biomarker detection and the determination of seroconversion (sero-positivity in ELISA) in the target species collected within the vaccination area. For determination of fox rabies incidence in vaccination areas as the main indicator of the performance of the ORV campaigns, epidemiological data was obtained from the national passive surveillance program. ResultsAerial bait distribution was highly accurate, with >99 % of baits being recorded from targeted zones, thus meeting the desired bait densities. Although the overall bait uptake (28.1 %; 95 %CI: 23.2–32.8) and seroprevalance (36.3 %; 95 %CI: 30.0–43.2) were low, rabies incidence drastically decreased in ORV areas and rabies was eliminated from western and central parts of Turkey, with no reported cases in foxes from ORV areas in 2022 and 2023. ConclusionsA large-scale ORV campaign against fox rabies using high quality vaccine baits and the GIS-aided and monitored bait distribution was able to control fox mediated rabies in the western and central parts of Türkiye. Rabies control both in dogs and foxes should be expanded to cover also the eastern parts of Türkiye, to become eventually rabies free.

Middle Pleistocene weakening of the Indian summer monsoon driven by global cooling

The Indian Monsoon profoundly impacts the climate, agriculture, and economy of the Indian subcontinent and southwestern China. However, the long-term variability of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and its forcing mechanism in the context of the stepwise Pleistocene cooling trend are poorly understood, due to the lack of high-quality terrestrial paleoclimate records. Quaternary loess and paleosol deposits in SW China provide the opportunity to study the long-term evolution of the ISM. Based on analyses of magnetic properties and chemical weathering indices, we found that decreased chemical weathering and pedogenic intensity occurred in SW China since the Middle Pleistocene. Comparison of our results with published paleoclimate records from the Indian Ocean and SW China suggest that substantial ISM weakening occurred after ∼0.7–0.6 Ma, coincident with the Mid-Pleistocene climatic transition. We conclude that decreasing global surface temperatures associated with the major growth of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets caused the Middle Pleistocene weakening of the ISM, leading to changes in precipitation regimes in the southern Asian continent and SW China. Our results suggest that global cooling is strongly linked with the South Asian monsoon climate system, and they provide clues for predicting future climate changes in its area of influence.

Evaluation of techno-economic design andimplementation of solar-wind hybrid microgridsystem for a small community

Pakistan is faces significant challenges in meeting its energy demand and consumption needs for consumers. This country's energy production from primary sources such as petroleum and natural gasses is incompetent in fuel-use and hence unable to meet feasibility cost. With an increasing population, Pakistan's energy consumption per capita has been steadily rising. This behaviour is leading to critical energy issues, especially in remote rural areas. This trend in rising energy costs and demand factors are similar to those in the energy markets in the South and South-East Asia. The primary energy sources in Asia continent, including fossil fuels, are insufficient supply to meet this growing demand in production and thus resulting in frequent electricity blackouts. Consequently, renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power have substantially started to produce energy and to provide a huge portion of Pakistan's daily energy needs apart in conventional energy currently. However, these sources are not yet as reliable, conventional energy bases have a challenge for sustainable energy production. As a result, renewable energy factors nonetheless initial started have effectively stabilized energy consumption, particularly for green electricity with net-zero carbon emissions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of integrating a microgrid hybrid system with combined (solar PV/wind power) renewable energy as well as conventional fossil fuel generators. This evaluation focuses on predicting energy production and its costs using Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software, and to enhance the electricity standards at NUST (National University for Sciences and Technology), Pakistan. The proposed methodology of microgrid hybrid system, when evaluated using HOMER software, shows a significant improvement in energy stability and cost efficiency. Moreover, this proposed system can reduce reliance on fossil fuels by a substantial percentage, enhances the predictability of energy production, and optimizes its energy consumption. These can achieve better performance metrics in terms of reliability, cost, and environmental impact; feasible solution for Pakistan and the developing countries. This proposed methodology offers a novel approach by integrating renewable energy sources with conventional generators to create a balanced and efficiency factor by microgrid system. This hybrid system goals as an investigation is to optimize this energy production, reduce carbon emissions, and provide a more stable and cost-effective energy supply.

Increasing WNP tropical cyclone-related extreme precipitation over East Asia during boreal summer associated with PDO shift

Over the past two decades, there has been a significant shift in tropical cyclone (TC) activity in the western North Pacific (WNP) basin during the boreal summer. Our analysis of data spanning from 1979 to 2021 reveals significant shifts in the WNP TC characteristics and rainfall pattern variation. To deepen our understanding of TC-related precipitation dynamics, we expressly address the difference between TC-related core precipitation (TCP) and remote precipitation (TRP). The results show that TRP significantly impacts the East Asian (EA) continent, especially on the Korean Peninsula. Notably, TCP exhibits decadal variability, with a pronounced negative correlation identified between it and the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) following a strong climate shift. This pivotal shift was marked by the PDO first transitioning to its negative phase in 1997, a notable change since 1979, resulting in a marked increase in TC-related extreme rainfall over the EA area. Concurrently, the rising sea surface temperatures (SSTs) over the WNP have intensified the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) circulation. The easterly steering flow associated with the WPSH then strengthened, leading to the continental migration of TC trajectories, thereby intensifying TC-related extreme precipitation.

Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships of Capsicum frutescens in the Asia–Pacific Region: The Pacific Dispersal Route

AbstractCapsicum peppers are among the oldest domesticated crops in the Americas. Columbus introduced them to Europe, from where they spread to the Far East via Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. However, the details of how Capsicum peppers were introduced into the Asia–Pacific region and their subsequent dispersal remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the genetic diversity and relationships of Capsicum frutescens in the Asia–Pacific region through restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) and the sequencing of a variable chloroplast genome locus. The RAD-seq analysis showed that three accessions from Japan are most closely related to those from the Americas and Micronesia, and are distant from most of those from islands and continental Southeast Asia. Although C. frutescens has two chloroplast haplotypes (T and TC), only the T type was found in the Americas and Japan, whereas both types were distributed in other regions. Therefore, we postulate that some C. frutescens accessions were introduced into the Asia–Pacific region from the Americas via the Pacific dispersal route, whereas only the T type was introduced into Japan. Evidence for this Pacific dispersal route of C. frutescens could lead to a reconsideration of the dispersal routes of other crops native to the Americas.

New records of Psocoptera (Insecta) from Vietnam

This study presents novel findings on the Psocoptera (Insecta) fauna of Vietnam, contributing to the understanding of biodiversity in the region. Psocoptera specimens were collected from Tam Dao National Park during October 2023, adding 19 new species to the existing list. These discoveries include species previously unknown to Vietnam and some new to the Indochina Peninsula and continental Asia. Material examination and species identification were conducted following established methodologies, with specimens deposited at the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, Bulgaria. The findings underscore the importance of continued research efforts in documenting and understanding the psocid fauna of Vietnam, particularly in tropical forest ecosystems.

Enhanced Mid-to-Late Summer Precipitation over Midlatitude East Asia under Global Warming

Abstract East Asian summer monsoon precipitation is projected to increase under greenhouse warming with strong intraseasonal variation. Using a 35-member CESM Large Ensemble and 30 CMIP6 models, this study reveals that in July and August, maximum rainfall changes in East Asia take place in the midlatitudes, influencing regions encompassing North and Northeast China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan. The intensified precipitation is attributed to the combined effect of the thermodynamic and dynamic components. The former stems from the enriched low-level moisture, which peaks in continental East Asia in July and August, under global warming. The dynamic effect is due to the enhanced upward motion, associated with the enhanced southerlies throughout the troposphere over midlatitude East Asia. The southerlies also act to intensify the low-level monsoonal circulation, strengthening moisture transport from the tropical ocean to the midlatitudes. In addition to the mean-state changes, the precipitation interannual variability in this region also intensifies, partly due to the enhanced low-level moisture and partly associated with enhanced large-scale circulation anomalies, such as the northwestern Pacific anticyclone. The enhanced background precipitation, along with the intensified interannual variability, may lead to more rainy summers in a warmer climate, with instances where historically extreme precipitation events become more frequent, posing challenges for water resource management and agriculture in the region.

Authigenic Minerals in Phanerozoic Volcanosedimentary Deposits of the Northern Part of the Asian Continent–Pacific Ocean Transition Zone

Authigenic Minerals in Phanerozoic Volcanosedimentary Deposits of the Northern Part of the Asian Continent–Pacific Ocean Transition Zone

Determinants of banking stability in India

Purpose This study aims to examine the various internal and external factors affecting the financial stability of Indian Commercial Banks. The aim is to improve the effectiveness of the Indian banking system in facilitating the transmission of monetary policy and to strengthen its resilience in the event of a banking crisis. Design/methodology/approach A panel data regression analysis is employed on unbalanced panel data of Indian commercial banks including public sector, private sector and foreign sector banks for the period of 2005–2022. Findings This study revealed that Indian banks with higher profits and high capitalization are more stable than others. However, banks with large bank size and high management costs are less stable as compared to other banks. In the case of macroeconomic variables, foreign exchange reserves have a significant positive impact on banking stability. Moreover, the unemployment rate has a significant negative impact on the banking stability of India. Research limitations/implications Research identifies relevant micro and macroeconomic drivers pertaining to India’s banking stability, a developing economy. These findings have significant implications and can attract the attention of analysts, regulators, bankers and academicians in this area. Nevertheless, the scope of the study is limited to the variables chosen to evaluate their contribution to banking stability, but other variables may influence Indian banking conditions. Practical implications Indian banks are advised by the research to place a high priority on profitability, capitalization and effective risk management. Customers and investors should choose banks with strong metrics. The priorities for policymakers should be preserving robust reserves and tackling unemployment with focused initiatives. Adopting digitalization can improve banks’ customer service and operational effectiveness, which is important for overcoming economic obstacles. These tactics provide doable measures to improve the resilience and stability of the banking industry in India and other emerging nations. Originality/value This research differentiates from the rest by focusing solely on the Indian banking system, in contrast to previous ones that often treated India as part of a bigger part like the BRICS or South Asia continent. It acknowledges the need to comprehending the unique traits and difficulties faced by the Indian banking system. Moreover, the current study distinguishes itself by focusing on the combined impact of microeconomic and macroeconomic indicators in the Indian context, unlike earlier research that concentrated on assessing the effects of individual variables. The current study also investigated new variables like corporate governance and foreign exchange reserves in the context of Indian banking which have not been explored by existing literature. Research is also crucial in the context of the analysis’s time frame, since it captures the period of economic transformation that included demonization, implementation of GST, major mergers and global COVID-19 pandemic.

Right-Wing Extremism and Terrorism with Roots In (Neo)Colonization

Many Western countries and their citizens react to right-wing extremism as if it were a coup against the democratic rule of law. This article explores the reasons for this. It does so as follows. First, by outlining what is meant by right-wing extremism. But also by addressing the theories that right-wing extremists use to support their ideology of destruction and subversion. Second, this article examines the numbers of right-wing extremists in Europe and in the European Parliament. In this European Parliament, right-wing extremists have become a party that cannot be ignored. In fact, even Hungary's far-right prime minister, Viktor Orbán, is now taking over the EU presidency for six months. Third, this article addresses the threat of right-wing extremist terrorism. This is done on the basis of a number of states that oppress citizens in their own and neighboring countries, invoking the adage: "one's own country and one's own people come first. Russia and Israel are the two countries most often mentioned. Attention is also paid to individual Western far-right terrorists who target Muslims, sub-Saharan Africans, and the "leftist" elite. Their far-right ideology is strongly discussed in this article. Fourth, we test the hypothesis that the ancestors of right-wing extremists had their first experiences with dismissing the other as inferior and inferior in the former Western colonies. In doing so, we do not close our eyes to neocolonial behavior. The elaboration of this hypothesis is that they treat immigrants, refugees and expatriates in the same way as their ancestors did in the former colonies on the African, Asian and American continents. Isolation, exploitation, enslavement, plundering, looting and torture, as well as genocidal wars, were the order of the day. Epigenetics shows that the distinction between genotype and phenotype is based on genotypic changes due to phenotypic conditions. In short, poor living conditions due to institutional racism, stress, pollution, overcrowding and deprivation lead to negative genetic changes. The victims of epigenetic transformation are mainly immigrants, refugees and expatriates in Western countries and the original populations in the former Western colonies. Finally, this article shows that it is a significant number of immigrants, refugees, and expatriates who are told by right-wing extremists that they are not welcome in their continent, country, province, neighborhood, and street. With God's evidence, this article shows that human beings were not created to fight each other with fire and sword.

Crust and Upper Mantle of the South China Sea (probabilistic-deterministic gravity model)

Rheological layering of a tectonosphere of the South China Sea (SCS) on the crust rigid (the depth interval of 5–30 km), viscous subcrustal (the depth interval of 30–70 km), rigid lower lithospheric (50–90 km), astenospheric (80–150 km) and rigid subastenospheric (the depth interval is more than 150 km) is established. Distributions of the density inhomogeneities connecting with the main tectonic events in SCS are caused by the Paleo-Pacific’s convergence, and later — the Philippine’a oceanic plate with the Philippine archipelago and further — with the Asian margin. In this zone by distributions of density contrast in a tectonosphere are tracing Cenozoic processes of a subduction, stretching, transformic shift and structure of the central type of the probable plume nature which form an evolutionary sequence: back arc, or paleo-oceanic spreading → the Philippine subduction → NE-stretching with shift → formation of the structure of the central type of a probable plume origin. The structures caused by convergence of the Asian continent with the Indo-Australian plate are isolated from the West Pacific margin, and the underthrsting of rigid lithospheric plates from the South under a lithosphere of the margin sea reflects traces of more ancient collision of fragments of the Gondwana with Asian continent.

Craft Specialization in the Highland Longshan Society: Perspective from the Bone Needle Workshop on the Central Mound at the Shimao Site, Shaanxi, China

The emergence of Shimao, a proto-urban center at the contact zone between agropastoral communities of the Loess Plateau and herders/hunter-gatherers of Monogolian Plateau, offers critical insights into the economic activities during the transition to the Bronze Age in continental East Asia. Unprecedented in scale in prehistoric China, the bone needle workshop at the central mound was a prelude to the specialized, industrial-scale bone production workshops seen in the Bronze Age cities of Zhengzhou, Anyang, and Zhouyuan during the second and early first millennium BCE. The bone needle production at Huangchengtai probably supplied a sophisticated craft industry for the production of garments using animal hides and textiles.

Application of Coffee Grounds Organic Fertilizer on The Growth and Production of Cucumber Plants (Cucumis sativus L)

Cucumis sativus L, commonly known as cucumber, is a creeping vine plant and a member of the Cucurbitaceae family known for producing fruit-bearing vegetables. Cucumis sativus plants originate in the Asian continent, specifically in North and South Asia. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the development and yield of cucumber plants, focusing particularly on the impact of varying doses of organic fertilizer derived from liquid coffee grounds. Specifically, the study seeks to assess the effects of these treatments on plant height, time to flowering, time to harvest, and the weight of the fruit produced by cucumber plants. This study was conducted within the idyllic housing complex from March to May 2024. The research used a factorial randomized block design (RAK) with a single factor. The dosage parameters for coffee grounds fertilizer are as follows: P0 serves as the control group, P1 involves a dosage of 25 ml per plant, P2 utilizes a dosage of 50 ml per plant, and P3 applies a dosage of 75 ml per plant. The findings indicated that the various fertilizer treatments had a noteworthy impact on plant height, flowering age, harvest time, and fruit weight, suggesting a significant interaction between the two variables. Applying 75 ml of coffee grounds fertilizer per cucumber plant yields the best outcomes in promoting increased plant height, earlier flowering, shortened harvest time, and greater fruit weight in cucumber plants.

Development Of E-Commerce Transactions And Its Influence On Labor Absorption

Global online retail is experiencing rapid growth, as reflected in the value of e-commerce, which is estimated to have grown by over 230 percent to $4.48 trillion, or Rp60.467 trillion, in 2021, from just $1.8 trillion in 2014. Online shopping has now become a popular pastime worldwide, particularly among young people. In addition to exciting new experiences, the prices of purchased items are also cheaper compared to traditional shopping. This sort of research is qualitative, utilizing secondary data obtained through literature reviews and statistical data. The research findings indicate that the value of e-commerce grew by over 230 percent to $4.48 trillion, or Rp60.467 trillion, in 2021, from just $1.8 trillion in 2014. In 2020 alone, the total turnover of the Asian continent reached $1.7 trillion USD. Moreover, this growth is projected to continue increasing in 2025, with an expected 51% increase to $2.5 trillion. China had sales of $1.3 trillion and is projected to grow to nearly $2 trillion by 2025. These figures exceed sales in Europe and North America. In 2020, the turnover of the European continent was $460 billion and North America was $588 billion. These values are significantly lower compared to China's sales. E-commerce in Indonesia also experienced strong growth since the beginning of 2020 due to the pandemic. The trading business grew by around 33% in 2020, and its main value increased rapidly from Rp 253 billion to Rp 337 billion. The role of business law in e-commerce transactions applies similarly to other purchasing and trading activities. With regulations in place regarding this matter, legal certainty is provided for the conduct of electronic transactions in Indonesia and internationally.

Global trends in prevalence of maternal overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of routinely collected data retrospective cohorts

Pregnant women with obesity are at greater risk of complications during pregnancy, peripartum and post-partum, compared to women with healthy BMI. Worldwide data demonstrating the changes in trends of maternal overweight and obesity prevalence informs service development to address maternal obesity, while directing resources to areas of greatest need. This systematic review and meta-analysis of population level data sought to evaluate global temporal changes in prevalence of maternal obesity and overweight/obesity, and compare trends between regions. Pooled prevalence of obesity and overweight/obesity was estimated using random effects meta-analysis. Temporal and geographical trends in prevalence of obesity and overweight/obesity were examined using linear regression. From 11,684 publications, 94 met inclusion criteria representing 121 study cohorts (Europe n = 71; North America n = 23; Australia/Oceania n = 10; Asia n = 5; South America n = 12), totalling 49,009,168 pregnancies. No studies from Africa met the inclusion criteria. Eighty studies (85.1%) were evaluated as having a low risk of bias and 14 studies (14.9%) moderate. In the most recent full decade (2010-2019), global prevalence of maternal obesity was estimated as 16.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 15.1-17.5%), or approximately one in six pregnancies. Combined overweight/obesity in pregnancy had a pooled prevalence of 43.8% (95%CI: 42.2-45.4%), approaching half of all pregnancies. In each continent, an upward trend similar to the global trend was observed. North America demonstrated the highest prevalence (obesity: 18.7% (95%CI: 15.0-23.2%)); overweight/obesity: 47.0% (95%CI: 45.7-48.3%)) and Asia demonstrated the lowest prevalence (obesity: 10.8% (95%CI: 7.0-16.5%)); overweight/obesity: 28.5% (95%CI: 18.3-41.5%)). Both maternal obesity and combined overweight/obesity prevalence increased annually by 0.34% and 0.64% (p < 0.001), respectively. Our linear regression model estimates current global prevalence of maternal obesity as 20.9% (95%CI 18.6-23.1%) and projects that this will increase to 23.3% (95%CI 20.3-26.2%) by 2030. Globally, maternal obesity and overweight/obesity prevalence is high and increasing, but varies greatly between regions, being highest in North America and lower in Asia. Maternity services across the globe should be adequately resourced to cope with the complexity of needs of pregnant women living with obesity. Future public health interventions should focus on reversing the high prevalence of maternal obesity observed across the globe. The availability of population-level data and research varies between regions, with more data required to understand the needs of maternal populations in the continents of Africa and Asia. Globally, there is a need for improved harmonisation and publication of data for monitoring and improvement of maternal inequalities.

Contamination status, source analysis and exposure assessments of quinolone antibiotics in the south of Yancheng Coastal Wetland, China.

Yancheng coastal wetland, the largest coastal wetland in the west coast of the Pacific Ocean and the margin of the Asian continent, has significant environmental, economic and social effects on local human beings. The extensive contamination and potential risk of quinolone antibiotics (QNs) on local aquaculture and human health are still not clear until now. In this study, 52 surface sediment samples were collected to investigate the contamination status and polluted sources, and evaluate ecological risks of QNs in the south of Yancheng coastal wetland. The total contents of QNs ranged from 0.33 to 21.60ng/g dw (mean value of 4.51ng/g dw), following the detection frequencies of QNs ranging from 19.23 to 94.23%. The highest content of QNs occurred around an aquaculture pond dominated by flumequine. The total organic carbon contents of sediment were positively correlated with sarafloxacin and lomefloxacin (p < 0.05), indicating the enhanced absorption of these QNs onto sediments. Partial QNs, such as lomefloxacin, enrofloxacin, sarafloxacin and flumequine, presented the homology features originating from the emission of medical treatment and aquaculture. There was no potential risk of QNs to human beings but a potential risk to aquatic organisms (algae > plant > invertebrate). Totally, the management and protection of Yancheng coastal wetland should be of concern with aquaculture as the important industry.

The origin and insecticide resistance of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes established in southern Mozambique

BackgroundThe Aedes albopictus mosquito is of medical concern due to its ability to transmit viral diseases, such as dengue and chikungunya. Aedes albopictus originated in Asia and is now present on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. In Mozambique, Ae. albopictus was first reported in 2015 within the capital city of Maputo, and by 2019, it had become established in the surrounding area. It was suspected that the mosquito population originated in Madagascar or islands of the Western Indian Ocean (IWIO). The aim of this study was to determine its origin. Given the risk of spreading insecticide resistance, we also examined relevant mutations in the voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC).MethodsEggs of Ae. albopictus were collected in Matola-Rio, a municipality adjacent to Maputo, and reared to adults in the laboratory. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences and microsatellite loci were analyzed to estimate origins. The presence of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations within domain II and III of the VSSC were examined using Sanger sequencing.ResultsThe COI network analysis denied the hypothesis that the Ae. albopictus population originated in Madagascar or IWIO; rather both the COI network and microsatellites analyses showed that the population was genetically similar to those in continental Southeast Asia and Hangzhou, China. Sanger sequencing determined the presence of the F1534C knockdown mutation, which is widely distributed among Asian populations, with a high allele frequency (46%).ConclusionsThese results do not support the hypothesis that the Mozambique Ae. albopictus population originated in Madagascar or IWIO. Instead, they suggest that the origin is continental Southeast Asia or a coastal town in China.Graphical

Does Political Stability Matter to the Profitability of Banks?

This study examines the impact of net interest margin, non-interest income, non-performing loans, and Political Stability Index on the banks’ profitability regarding return on assets in developing Asian countries, focusing on how political stability affects the bank’s profitability. The secondary data from 14 developing countries used in this study are collected from the World Bank and World Financial Studies Report. The dataset includes 154 data points spanning from 2012 to 2022, focusing on 14 underdeveloped countries of Asia. Exploratory and analytical research designs are utilized. Data are analyzed by using EViews 12. Econometric tools such as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, panel unit root testing, Fisher-Johnsen combined co-integration test, panel vector error correction model, and Wald test investigate the relationship between response and predictor variables. The net interest margin, non-interest income, non-performing loan, and Political Stability Index are jointly integrated to determine the bank’s profit of developing countries of the Asia continent. Interest margin, non-interest revenue, non-performing loans, and the Political Stability Index all show a 38.6 percent variance in bank profit. It has been discovered that for every unit that rises in net interest margin and Political Stability Index, the bank profitability of developing Asian countries increases by 0.4867 and 0.2221 percent, respectively. Non-interest income has little bearing on the profitability of banks. Meanwhile, non-interest income exhibits minimal influence, suggesting a need for a strategic focus on interest margin enhancement and fostering political stability to optimize banking sector profitability in the region.

Sulfate runoff processes during rainfall events in a small forested catchment on the sea of Japan side recovering from acidification under climate change

AbstractChanges in rainfall patterns due to climate change may accelerate the runoff of sulfate (SO42−), which is anthropogenically emitted and deposited as an air pollutant, cycled in forest ecosystems, and partly accumulated in forest soils. A forested catchment on the Sea of Japan side in central Japan is significantly affected by transboundary air pollution from the Asian continent due to northwesterly seasonal winds in winter. In this study, intensive 24‐h observations were conducted every hour eight times from 2019 to 2020 to clarify changes in stream water quality and runoff processes during rainfall events. The pH, electrical conductivity, and SO42− concentration in stream water decreased with increasing hourly average discharge rate (L sec−1). The SO42− concentration was negatively correlated with discharge rate. Hydrograph separations using the water isotopic parameter (deuterium excess, d‐excess = δ2H – 8 × δ18O) showed that most of the stream flow during the rain events was derived from pre‐storm water. A significant negative correlation between the d‐excess and stream water discharge was found for all six events where the water isotope analysis was applied. However, the S isotope ratio (δ34S) in stream water was not correlated with discharge rate during rainfall events and was obviously different (&gt;1.5‰) from rainwater δ34S in the same month. This suggests that rainwater SO42− during rainfall events did not directly flow to the stream but was retained in the forest ecosystem. The isotopically well homogenized internal SO42− appeared to be mainly released into the stream during rainfall events. Future climate change may further accelerate SO42− runoff from forest catchments and disrupt material cycles in the ecosystem if warming causes more intense rainfall.

A South Asian Identity Constructed By The Indo-Pacific Discourse: India

It has been estimated that by 2050, four of the top five economies in the world will all be in Asia, with India, Japan and Indonesia all taking a spot alongside China in surpassing the United States, and revealing a global shift toward the Asian axis. While the Asia-Pacific discourse that has emerged since the Cold War promotes a China-centered understanding of Asia, a South Asian country, India, is emerging as a second rising power on the Asian continent and is taking a central position in the region. The continuing discourse will play an active role in the construction of a South Asian identity and its acceptance in the international arena.