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The Arabic language has several dialects across the twenty-two Arabic-speaking countries in Asia and Africa. Arabic Dialect Identification (ADI) is still a challenging task due to the well-recognized complexity and variations of Arabic dialects. It is noteworthy that Arabic dialects share the majority of tokens. The state-of-the-art solutions have been built upon various machine learning approaches. However, they commonly treat all words equally-likely and thus ignores the importance of dialectal words in response to a given dialect. In this paper, we propose a three-stage neural approach to learn the dialectal semantic representation from a given corpus. Specifically, we first aim to capture the dialect-relevant information, which is then used to model the dialectal vector representation. The goal is to filter away the shared words between dialects to reduce the noisy information fused to the fully connected layer. We introduce two variants, including LSTM-based and Transformer-based. Finally, we empirically evaluate the performance of the proposed solution by a comparative study on real benchmark datasets, including MADAR, NADI, and QADI. Our extensive experiments show that it consistently achieves state-of-the-art performance. Due to the well-recognized challenging of ADI, the improvement margins can be deemed considerable. The code is available on GitHub. 1 1 The code is available: https://github.com/amurtadha/arabic-dialect-identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community health workers (CHWs) are uniquely positioned to improve health outcomes in immigrant communities; however, research on appropriate metrics for evaluating CHW attributes and mechanisms of effectiveness are limited. The objective of this paper is to characterize CHW attributes and pathways of action using adapted measures, develop a scale using these measures, and explore how findings can inform future CHW research and practice. The study analyzed pre- and post-intervention group data from one quasi-experimental and three randomized controlled-design parent trials assessing the impact of CHW-led group and individual health coaching on various health outcomes in four New York City immigrant communities. We conducted descriptive, bi-variate and principal components analysis to develop a 13-item scale assessing CHW attributes, roles, and pathways of action. The sample included 437 individuals completing the intervention arm of a CHW study. We found CHWs were reported to affect change through a number of mechanisms and participants expressed substantial communal concordance with the CHWs in terms of country of birth, language, and culture. Principal components analysis with promax rotation identified 13 items with three factors and high Cronbach's alphas: 1) valued interpersonal attributes of the CHW (alpha=0.784); 2) CHW as a bridge to health and non-health resources (alpha=0.857); and 3) providing accessibility beyond health providers (alpha=0.904). Socio-demographic characteristics and differences in CHW pathways of action were identified by community. Study findings can guide improved selection and training of CHWs. Further, measures identified in the principal components analysis can be used to guide future CHW evaluation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Archaeological interpretations are interwoven with analogical reasoning. This paper presents a large volume of ethnographic data on traditional pig husbandry in modern Iberia and discusses their zooarchaeological importance. Europe-based ethnoarchaeological studies on traditional pig husbandry (e.g., in Sardinia/Corsica and Greece) have only recently made their appearance and have been proved environmentally and geographically more relevant than similar studies carried out in Asia. This paper presents archaeologically relevant data on a great variety of themes such as pig morphology, adaptation in and exploitation of environment, herd size and composition, the relations between wild and domestic populations, castration, breeding, genetic diversity, slaughtering practices, age-at-death, home range, control and movements, diet, weight, agricultural damage and products. The results show that traditional systems of animal husbandry do survive in Europe and their study widens and improves our interpretative framework. This Iberian-based study showed that domestic pig morphology is the combined result of the breeder’s selection and the pig’s adaptation to a given environment and husbandry system. Moreover, scale is a crucial factor significantly affecting all other aspects of a husbandry system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper very briefly surveys current research on Asian economic development, and also discusses several recent papers on the contributions of economic history to understanding development. I then review the contributions of the papers in this special volume of Explorations in light of these two literatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we investigate the biogeography of the temperate woody bamboos (Arundinarieae) using a densely-sampled phylogenetic tree of Bambusoideae based on six plastid DNA loci, which corroborates the previously discovered 12 lineages (I–XII) and places Kuruna as sister to the Chimonocalamus clade. Biogeographic analyses revealed that the Arundinarieae diversified from an estimated 12 to 14 Mya, and this was followed by rapid radiation within the lineages, particularly lineages IV, V and VI, starting from c. 7–8 Mya. It is suggested that the late Miocene intensification of East Asian monsoon may have contributed to this burst of diversification. The possibilities of the extant Sri Lankan and African temperate bamboo lineages representing ‘basal elements’ could be excluded, indicating that there is no evidence to support the Indian or African route for migration of temperate bamboo ancestors to Asia. Radiations from eastern Asia to Africa, Sri Lanka, and to North America all are likely to have occurred during the Pliocene, to form the disjunct distribution of Arundinarieae we observe today. The two African lineages are inferred as being derived independently from Asian ancestors, either by overland migrations or long-distance dispersals. Beringian migration may explain the eastern Asian–eastern North American disjunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the debate on globalization and the great divergence with a comprehensive analysis of the integration of Asia in the world market from 1800 to the eve of World War II. We examine the patterns of convergence in prices for a wide range of commodities between Europe and the main Asian countries (India, Indonesia, Japan and China) and we compare them with convergence between Europe and the East Coast of the United States, hitherto the yardstick for the 19th century. Most price convergence occurred before 1870, mainly as a consequence of the abolition of the European trading monopolies with Asia, and, to a lesser extent, the repeal of duties on Atlantic trade. After 1870, price differentials continued to decline thanks to falling freights and to better communication after the lay-out of telegraph cables. There was only little disintegration in the inter-war years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar drying is one of the most efficient and cost-effective, renewable, and sustainable technologies to conserve agricultural products in Asian and sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. This review paper presents the different types of solar dryers that are widely used in Africa and Asia. In addition, the pre-eminent effects of their use on product quality, as well as their economic, environmental, and social impacts, are highlighted. Since financial, external, and structural factors play a key role in the adoption and scaling of solar dryers, this paper also discusses the impact of these factors on the effectiveness of solar drying technologies in selected Asian and SSA countries. Image 1 • An application of solar dryers in Asian and SSA countries is reviewed. • Solar dryers of different types or designs are available, depending on the respective requirements. • Solar drying has positive impacts on quality as well as economic, environmental, and social aspects. • Financial and technical efforts are required to promote an adoption of solar dryers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Morris Goodman was a revolutionary. Together with a mere handful of like-minded scientists, Morris established himself as a leader in the molecular phylogenetic revolution of the 1960s. The effects of this revolution are most evident in this journal, which he founded in 1992. Happily for lemur biologists, one of Morris Goodman’s primary interests was in reconstructing the phylogeny of the primates, including the tooth-combed Lorisifomes of Africa and Asia, and the Lemuriformes of Madagascar (collectively referred to as the suborder Strepsirrhini). This paper traces the development of molecular phylogenetic and evolutionary genetic trends and methods over the 50-year expanse of Morris Goodman’s career, particularly as they apply to our understanding of lemuriform phylogeny, biogeography, and biology. Notably, this perspective reveals that the lemuriform genome is sufficiently rich in phylogenetic signal such that the very earliest molecular phylogenetic studies – many of which were conducted by Goodman himself – have been validated by contemporary studies that have exploited advanced computational methods applied to phylogenomic scale data; studies that were beyond imagining in the earliest days of phylogeny reconstruction. Nonetheless, the frontier still beckons. New technologies for gathering and analyzing genomic data will allow investigators to build upon what can now be considered a nearly-known phylogeny of the Lemuriformes in order to ask innovative questions about the evolutionary mechanisms that generate and maintain the extraordinary breadth and depth of biological diversity within this remarkable clade of primates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Asia and Oceania Society for Comparative Endocrinology (AOSCE) was founded in 1987, when the first congress was held in Nagoya, Japan. The purpose of the AOSCE is to progress scientific activities in the field of comparative endocrinology in Asia and Oceania and to establish a deep relationship among the members. For this purpose, the AOSCE holds a congress or an intercongress symposium every 2years, which organizes an attractive scientific program covering the latest progress in the broad aspect of comparative endocrinology. 2012 was the 25th anniversary of AOSCE. Our scientific activities have increased dramatically during the past 25years. The 7th AOSCE congress was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2012. The theme of this congress was “Overcoming challenges in the 21st century”. To overcome challenges in the 21st century, we further need to create new research directions in comparative endocrinology from Asia and Oceania. This paper describes a brief history of the AOSCE and also highlights the discovery of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and the progress of GnIH research as one of new research directions in comparative endocrinology. In 2000, GnIH was discovered in Japan and now more than 50 laboratories are working on GnIH in the world. The discovery of GnIH has changed our understanding about regulation of the reproductive axis drastically in the past decade. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Excavations at Liang Bua, Flores, Indonesia, have yielded evidence for an endemic human species, Homo floresiensis, a population that occupied the cave between ∼95–17ka. This discovery has major implications for early hominin evolution and dispersal in Africa and Asia, attracting worldwide interest. This preface describes the rationale for the excavations in historical, geographical, and wider research contexts, as well as the methods used. It also introduces the other papers on aspects of Liang Bua research that feature in this edition of the Journal of Human Evolution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In 2006 a report on the analysis for lead in 80 new residential paints from four countries in Asia revealed high levels in three of the countries (China, India and Malaysia) and low levels in a fourth country (Singapore) where a lead in paint regulation was enforced. The authors warned of the possible export of lead-painted consumer products to the United States and other countries and the dangers the lead paint represented to children in the countries where it was available for purchase. The need for a worldwide ban on the use of lead in paints was emphasized to prevent an increase in exposure and disease from this very preventable environmental source. Since the earlier paper almost 300 additional new paint samples have been collected from the four initial countries plus 8 additional countries, three from Asia, three from Africa and two from South America. During the intervening time period two million toys and other items imported into the United States were recalled because the lead content exceeded the United States standard. High lead paints were detected in all 12 countries. The average lead concentration by country ranged from 6988 (Singapore) to 31,960ppm (Ecuador). One multinational company sold high lead paint in one country through January 2007 but sold low lead paint later in 2007 indicating that a major change to cease adding lead to their paints had occurred. However, the finding that almost one-third of the samples would meet the new United States standard for new paint of 90ppm, suggests that the technology is already available in at least 11 of the 12 countries to produce low lead enamel paints for domestic use. The need remains urgent to establish effective worldwide controls to prevent the needless poisoning of millions of children from this preventable exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa have led to devastating consequences for poultry, and have resulted in numerous infections in humans. Although these infections from the animal reservoir continue to accumulate, the virus does not seem to spread extensively among humans. However, for example, a process of genetic reassortment could occur in a human who is co-infected with avian influenza A virus and a human strain of influenza A virus. The resulting new virus might then be able to easily infect humans and spread from human to human. Therefore, many experts expect the occurrence of a pandemic due to a mutant virus which can be easily transmitted among humans. Thus, currently, a major public health concern is the next influenza pandemic; yet it remains unclear how to control such a crisis. In this paper, we investigate relations between the evolution of virulence and an effectiveness of pandemic control measures after the emergence of mutant avian influenza; one is an elimination policy of infected birds with avian influenza and the other is a quarantine policy of infected humans with mutant avian influenza. We found that each of these prevention policies can be ineffective (i.e., increase human morbidity or mortality). Further, interestingly, the same intervention might, under the same conditions, increase human morbidity and decrease human mortality, or vice versa. Our practical findings are that the quarantine policy can effectively reduce both human morbidity and mortality but the elimination policy increases either human morbidity or mortality in a worst case situation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recent papers have reported that Asian dust events have been associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality and rates of respiratory illness. The current study was designed to estimate the relative risk of mortality associated with Asian dust events. We used the daily counts of non-accidental deaths, air pollution and meteorological data in Seoul, Korea from 2000 to 2004. We divided all days during the study period into two groups according to the presence or absence of Asian dust events. For each group, we conducted time-series analysis to estimate the relative risk of total non-accidental death when the concentration of each air pollutant increased by the inter-quartile range (IQR). The average concentrations of every air pollutant on the days without a dust event were lower than those on the days with such an event. We found that the effect sizes of air pollution on daily death rates in the model without Asian dust events were larger than those in the model with Asian dust events, and were statistically significant for all air pollutants (PM10, CO, NO2, and SO2) except for O3. Our results suggest that we are likely to underestimate the risk of urban air particles if we analyze the effect size of air pollution on daily mortality during Asian dust events. We hypothesize that the real health effect is much larger than previous results suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Advances and barriers faced by microbial control efforts in Asia offer instructive insights for microbial control in general. The papers in this series, which are based on plenary lectures given at the Society for Invertebrate Pathology 2006 meeting in Wuhan, China, explore the history and current status of microbial control in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, and in doing so, bring to light the following key assumptions that deserve further examination; (1) the adoption rate of microbial control is well documented; (2) microbial control agents can compete directly with conventional insecticides; (3) microbial control agents are relatively easy and inexpensive to produce and develop; (4) patents will promote innovation and investor interest in microbial control. Alternative viewpoints are presented that can hopefully aid in future efforts to develop more safe and effective microbial control agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Neolithic period in island Southeast Asia is characterized by various population movements, technological innovations, and the introduction/adoption of agricultural foodstuffs. Human subsistence trends during this period, however, are poorly understood. Broad spectrum foraging is generally assumed for prehistoric groups utilizing rain forest food resources but the degree to which cultigens were part of the dietary repertoire remains unclear. This paper explores human subsistence patterns at three penecontemporaneous Neolithic sites in Sarawak (East Malaysia) using stable isotope ratios of carbon and oxygen derived from tooth enamel apatite. The sites (Niah Cave, Lubang Angin, and Gua Sireh) differ in local ecology and cultural circumstance but all are situated in C3-dominant lowland primary rain forest. Significant differences in δ13C values between sites likely reflect the canopy effect and variations in foraging pattern. Lower values at Lubang Angin suggest dependence upon closed forest foraging. Higher values at Neolithic Niah Cave and Gua Sireh suggest more open forest horticulture and subsistence, including some form of systematic food production, collection, and/or habitat modification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ammopiptanthus mongolicus (Maxim.ex Kom.) Cheng f., an ancient relic of the Tertiary Period, is a rare and endangered species of Fabaceae in Mid-Asia desert and has been listed as one of primary protection plants by the Chinese government. Because of its high value of study and ecological usefulness in defending desert, this plant has been called ‘live fossil’. Using the leaves of A. mongolicus derived from water-stressed and water-supplemented environments at Shapotou in the south-east edge of Tengger Desert, seasonal changes of caloric values and osmotica, including free amino acids, total soluble sugar (TSS), sucrose, glucose and inorganic cations have been studied in this paper. The results showed that the main substances involved in osmotic adjustment varied with growth periods and between samples. At the early period it was soluble sugar mainly, and at the late period, besides soluble sugar, potassium and free amino acid (especially proline) also functioned. The higher levels of osmotica content (especially concentrations of total soluble sugar, sucrose, proline and potassium) and caloric values have been found in water-stressed plants rather than in irrigated ones. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• At Yuchanyan vessels were found in a context of efficient fire making and using. • Multidisciplinary evidence shows that pottery was used to render grease and boil bones. • Grease rendering required large-scale efforts and collaboration. • Potter and grease were part of a social context of collaboration. • Evidence challenges the idea that would-be aggrandizers profited from using pottery. The invention of pottery by Palaeolithic hunter-gatherer groups is often associated with the development or introduction of new social practices. While some studies connect pottery, especially in glacial environments, to broadening of hunter-gatherer subsistence strategies, in Eastern Asia a number of studies suggests that the earliest pottery is connected to the appearance of hierarchy through self-aggrandizement and feasting in trans-egalitarian societies. In this paper, we assess this hypothesis using the early pottery site of Yuchanyan (China) as a case study. Geoarchaeological studies at Yuchanyan have confirmed the hunter-gatherer context of the pottery (18.3 cal ky BP) and also reconstructed the site's stratigraphy and human occupation of the cave. Here we reconstruct the pyrotechnology and cooking practices at Yuchanyan with the goal of better understanding labor commitments. We argue that humans used several techniques to increase cooking efficiency to make bone soup and render grease. This multifaceted activity would have required large-scale efforts and collaboration, and consequently, we argue that the end product could not have been monopolized by a single individual. If feasting did in fact take place, it was probably yet another activity inducing group cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever since parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) first left its native range more than two centuries ago, this noxious herb has now invaded 46 countries and territories. The weed has expanded its range from a couple of islands in 18th Century through 11 minor and eight major introductions around the world. Segmented regression analyses confirmed introductions and revealed that the weed has spread fastest in developing countries, especially after the 1950s in Asia and Africa. A review of historical records, research papers and reports suggests that while border traffic (36%) and unchecked imports (seeds 16%, other commodities 17%) have resulted in the majority of international introductions, local spread has been achieved through multiple pathways, including roads and vehicles, by water and wind, through contaminated seed feed lots and floral bouquets. The high proportion of adjacent counties (51%) and oversea islands (5%) over the unknown origins (32%) or directly from the native range (12%) reveal a steady and predictable international spread pattern. Prevention of spread by management was first practised in Australia, then followed by other five countries. Containment barriers were set up, legislation on biosecurity imposed, and management plans based on early detection and eradication were executed; and these measures have been effective. Awareness within international research groups is raising, however, insufficient coordination between invaded countries has occurred to date, with policies yet to be formalised and executed to prevent the spread and impact of this weed. Image 1 • An invasion history of parthenium weed over two centuries, fastest in Asia and Africa. • Steps of exotic expansion by eight major populations outside Americas. • Traffic and contaminated product helped in most spread at international and local scale. • Scope of containment, legislation, and management policies in six leading countries. • Awareness is the key in international coordination and future cooperation to prevent spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Asian economies have registered strong economic growth over the last few decades, their growing pollution emissions raise concerns among the policymakers about the sustainability of this output growth. This paper tests the causal relationship between economic development, energy consumption, trade openness, financial development, FDI, government expenditures, institutional quality. and pollution emissions for 41 Asian economies from 1996 to 2015. Further, we separately test the impact of political and economic institutions on pollution emissions of the sample economies. Our estimated outcomes, based on the panel cointegration method and panel vector error correction models (VECM), substantiate the presence of a cointegration relationship among all the selected variables. While economic development, energy use, trade openness, and FDI augment environmental degradation, financial development and better economic institutions help the selected countries in reducing their pollution emissions. Moreover, better economic and political institutions also mediate the adverse impact of income, trade openness, and FDI on pollution emissions. The VECM model shows that per capita GDP is the only variable having a causal effect on pollution emissions in all the models. For all the other variables, the causal effect is significant only in a few cases. These outcomes have some important policy recommendations for the sample economies. • We test the direct and indirect effect of institutional quality on CO 2 emissions. • Institutional quality contributes to the reduction of CO 2 emissions in Asia. • Institutional quality also moderates the adverse effects of income on CO 2 emissions. • Policy makers should incorporate the role and efficiency of institutional quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Street-vended food is a popular choice among consumers as they are cheap, convenient and easily accessible, especially in Asia. Studies have assessed street food vendors' food safety and microbiological quality of street-vended foods and overall findings revealed gaps and inconsistencies in hygiene practices. High numbers of street food vendors vs low numbers of environmental health officers and limited time remains a challenge in most developing countries in assessing the hygiene compliance of food services. Most inspections rely on paper-based assessments of the cleanliness and hygiene practices of staff. This study developed a Rapid Food Hygiene Inspection Tool (RFHiT) to assess and calculate the hygiene conformance index (CI) of 95 street food vendors. RFHiT allows rapid assessment as it takes less than 20 min to assess each street food vendor. 51.30% of the street food vendors were rated as moderately clean whilst 14.25% were rated as poor and 0.95% as very poor. 20% of the vendors achieved a good rating with six street-food vendors rated as excellent. The proposed tool further demonstrated practical implications of using the rapid inspection tool to assess actual hygienic practices of street food vendors, thus reducing the Hawthorne effect among food handlers. • A new tool for rapid hygiene assessment of street food vendors is proposed. • Allow rapid and discrete assessment of hygiene compliance among street food vendors. • Calculation of conformance index (CI) and CI REL allow critical comparison and prioritisation of resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]