An analysis of benefits to women from different financial services : case study in Meiktila district, Mandalay region

This analysis focuses on women’s inclusion in financial services, and the factors that influence their ability to access financial resources. It traces patterns in the development of, and access to microcredit programs and their effects on women’s (and their children’s) lives. Women in the Mandalay region of Myanmar were interviewed (2019) regarding microcredit financing and access, the effects on poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and any social benefits accrued through an increase in household income

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards sexual and reproductive health including comprehensive sexuality education among first year students of university Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Malaysia

This study aims to assess knowledge, attitude and behavior in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) including comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) among 439 first year students; 213 sciences and 226 arts students from 5 Faculties of University Malaysia Sabah (2016-2017). Exposure of Malaysian students to sexual education is limited to science subjects which are only being taught at upper elementary and secondary high school levels. Arts students are less exposed to sexual education across Malaysia as it is delivered in Basic Science subject only. It was a university-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study. Pretested self- administered questionnaire was anonymously completed by all participants and was conducted from November 2016 to January 2017. Students’ demographic characteristics from Science and Arts streams were same except females, Sabah ethnics and Malays were more in Arts. Awareness of HIV/AIDS, Condom, Wet dream, COC pills and abortion services were more in Science students and statistically significant. 34.3 % and 81.2% of Science students agreed that CSE should be introduced in primary and secondary school but not statistically significant. 22 out of 439 students were sexually active. Science students had more knowledge about SRH and favourable attitude towards sexuality education but less favourable behaviour of watching and reading pornographic materials. It was concluded that there were gaps in knowledge, attitude and behaviour of SRH and need to remedy these by giving appropriate CSE classes to first-year university students in an elective module according to their culture and religious beliefs in accord with International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (ITGSE)

Investigating associations between nematode infection and three measures of sociality in Asian elephants

Frequent social interactions, proximity to conspecifics, and group density are main drivers of infections and parasite transmissions. However, recent theoretical and empirical studies suggest that the health benefits of sociality and group living can outweigh the costs of infection and help social individuals fight infections or increase their infection-related tolerance level. Here, we combine the advantage of studying artificially created social work groups with different demographic compositions with free-range feeding and social behaviours in semi-captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), employed in timber logging in Myanmar. We examine the link between gastro-intestinal nematode load (strongyles and Strongyloides spp.), estimated by faecal egg counts, and three different aspects of an elephant's social world: individual solitary behaviour, work group size, and work group sex ratio. Controlling for sex, age, origin, time since last deworming treatment, year, human sampler bias, and individual identity, we found that infection by nematodes ranged from 0 to 2720 eggs/g between and within 26 male and 45 female elephants over the 4-year study period. However, such variation was not linked to any investigated measures of sociality in either males or females. Our findings highlight the need for finer-scale studies, establishing how sociality is limited by, mitigates, or protects against infection in different ecological contexts, to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these pathways. Significance statement Being social involves not only benefits, such as improved health, but also costs, including increased risk of parasitism and infectious disease. We studied the relationship between and three different sociality measures-solitary behaviour, group size, and the proportion of females to males within a group-and infection by gut nematodes (roundworms), using a unique study system of semi-captive working Asian elephants. Our system allows for observing how infection is linked to sociality measures across different social frameworks. We found that none of our social measures was associated with nematode infection in the studied elephants. Our results therefore suggest that here infection is not a large cost to group living, that it can be alleviated by the benefits of increased sociality, or that there are weak infection-sociality associations present which could not be captured and thus require finer-scale measures than those studied here. Overall, more studies are needed from a diverse range of systems that investigate specific aspects of social infection dynamics.Peer reviewe

Sesquiterpene from Myanmar Medicinal Plant (<em>Curcuma comosa</em>)

Curcuma comosa (Zingiberaceae) is widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar. In Myanmar, the rhizome of Curcuma comosa is called Sa-nwin-ga, and local people had used it as a traditional medicine for stomach ache, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. This species produces secondary metabolites of phenolic and nonphenolic groups. Phenolic groups like diarylheptanoids and flavonoids. While nonphenolics are terpenoids, especially sesqui- and monoterpenes. In this chapter, the group of sesquiterpene compounds from Curcuma comosa starts from the isolation technique, followed by the elucidation of the molecular structure, and their activity tests have been discussed

Coumarins from Myanmar edible fruit tree (Casimiroa edults)

Abstract: This research expresses the phytochemical study from the Myanmar edible fruit tree, Casimiroa edulis (Rutaceae). The result revealed that the isolation and identification of two furanocoumarins (bergapten 1 and isopimpinellin 2) from the stem bark of this plant. Their molecular structures were elucidated and identified by using NMR spectroscopy in combination with IR, UV and HRMS spectra data, respectively. Furthermore, these two compounds were investigated for their anti-diabetic activity. According to the result, bergapten 1 and isopimpinellin 2 are not essentially good for anti-diabetic activity. This is the first report of two furanocoumarins from the Myanmar edible fruit tree

Investigating associations between nematode infection and three measures of sociality in Asian elephants

Frequent social interactions, proximity to conspecifics, and group density are main drivers of infections and parasite transmissions. However, recent theoretical and empirical studies suggest that the health benefits of sociality and group living can outweigh the costs of infection and help social individuals fight infections or increase their infection-related tolerance level. Here, we combine the advantage of studying artificially created social work groups with different demographic compositions with free-range feeding and social behaviours in semi-captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), employed in timber logging in Myanmar. We examine the link between gastro-intestinal nematode load (strongyles and Strongyloides spp.), estimated by faecal egg counts, and three different aspects of an elephant's social world: individual solitary behaviour, work group size, and work group sex ratio. Controlling for sex, age, origin, time since last deworming treatment, year, human sampler bias, and individual identity, we found that infection by nematodes ranged from 0 to 2720 eggs/g between and within 26 male and 45 female elephants over the 4-year study period. However, such variation was not linked to any investigated measures of sociality in either males or females. Our findings highlight the need for finer-scale studies, establishing how sociality is limited by, mitigates, or protects against infection in different ecological contexts, to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these pathways.Significance statementBeing social involves not only benefits, such as improved health, but also costs, including increased risk of parasitism and infectious disease. We studied the relationship between and three different sociality measures-solitary behaviour, group size, and the proportion of females to males within a group-and infection by gut nematodes (roundworms), using a unique study system of semi-captive working Asian elephants. Our system allows for observing how infection is linked to sociality measures across different social frameworks. We found that none of our social measures was associated with nematode infection in the studied elephants. Our results therefore suggest that here infection is not a large cost to group living, that it can be alleviated by the benefits of increased sociality, or that there are weak infection-sociality associations present which could not be captured and thus require finer-scale measures than those studied here. Overall, more studies are needed from a diverse range of systems that investigate specific aspects of social infection dynamics.</p

A mixed methods evaluation of Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) and Basic Life Support in Obstetrics (BLSO) in a resource-limited setting on the Thailand-Myanmar border

Background: Short emergency obstetric care (EmOC) courses have demonstrated improved provider confidence, knowledge and skills but impact on indicators such as maternal mortality and stillbirth is less substantial. This manuscript evaluates Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) and Basic Life Support (BLSO) as an adult education tool, in a protracted, post-conflict and resource-limited setting. Methods: A mixed methods evaluation was used. Basic characteristics of ALSO and BLSO participants and their course results were summarized. Kirkpatrick's framework for assessment of education effectiveness included: qualitative data on participants' reactions to training (level 1); and quantitative health indicator data on change in the availability and quality of EmOC and in maternal and/or neonatal health outcomes (level 4), by evaluation of the post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) related maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and stillbirth rate in the eight years prior and following implementation of ALSO and BLSO. Results: 561 Thailand-Myanmar border health workers participated in ALSO (n=355) and BLSO (n=206) courses 2008-2020. Pass rates on skills exceeded 90% for both courses while 50% passed the written ALSO test. Perceived confidence significantly improved for all items assessed. In the eight-year block preceding the implementation of ALSO and BLSO (2000-07) the PPH related MMR per 100,000 live births was 57.0 (95%CI 30.06-108.3)(9/15797) compared to 25.4 (95%CI 11.6-55.4)(6/23620) eight years following (2009-16), p=0.109. After adjustment, PPH related maternal mortality was associated with birth before ALSO/BLSO implementation aOR 3.825 (95%CI 1.1233-11.870), migrant (not refugee) status aOR 3.814 (95%CI 1.241-11.718) and attending ≤four antenatal consultations aOR 3.648 (95%CI 1.189-11.191). Stillbirth rate per 1,000 total births was 18.2 (95%CI 16.2-20.4)(291/16016) before the courses, and 11.1 (95%CI 9.8-12.5)(264/23884) after, p=0.038. Birth before ALSO/ BLSO implementation was associated with stillbirth aoR 1.235 (95%CI 1.018-1.500). Conclusions: This evaluation suggests ALSO and BLSO are sustainable, beneficial, EmOC trainings for adult education in protracted, post-conflict, resource-limited settings

A mixed methods evaluation of Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) and Basic Life Support in Obstetrics (BLSO) in a resource-limited setting on the Thailand-Myanmar border [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Short emergency obstetric care (EmOC) courses have demonstrated improved provider confidence, knowledge and skills but impact on indicators such as maternal mortality and stillbirth is less substantial. This manuscript evaluates Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) and Basic Life Support (BLSO) as an adult education tool, in a protracted, post-conflict and resource-limited setting. Methods: A mixed methods evaluation was used. Basic characteristics of ALSO and BLSO participants and their course results were summarized. Kirkpatrick’s framework for assessment of education effectiveness included: qualitative data on participants’ reactions to training (level 1); and quantitative health indicator data on change in the availability and quality of EmOC and in maternal and/or neonatal health outcomes (level 4), by evaluation of the post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) related maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and stillbirth rate in the eight years prior and following implementation of ALSO and BLSO. Results: 561 Thailand-Myanmar border health workers participated in ALSO (n=355) and BLSO (n=206) courses 2008-2020. Pass rates on skills exceeded 90% for both courses while 50% passed the written ALSO test. Perceived confidence significantly improved for all items assessed. In the eight-year block preceding the implementation of ALSO and BLSO (2000-07) the PPH related MMR per 100,000 live births was 57.0 (95%CI 30.06-108.3)(9/15797) compared to 25.4 (95%CI 11.6-55.4)(6/23620) eight years following (2009-16), p=0.109. After adjustment, PPH related maternal mortality was associated with birth before ALSO/BLSO implementation aOR 3.825 (95%CI 1.1233-11.870), migrant (not refugee) status aOR 3.814 (95%CI 1.241-11.718) and attending ≤four antenatal consultations aOR 3.648 (95%CI 1.189-11.191). Stillbirth rate per 1,000 total births was 18.2 (95%CI 16.2-20.4)(291/16016) before the courses, and 11.1 (95%CI 9.8-12.5)(264/23884) after, p=0.038. Birth before ALSO/ BLSO implementation was associated with stillbirth aoR 1.235 (95%CI 1.018-1.500). Conclusions: This evaluation suggests ALSO and BLSO are sustainable, beneficial, EmOC trainings for adult education in protracted, post-conflict, resource-limited settings

Образование иерархических структур из функционализированных многостенных углеродных нанотрубок в растворе с аэросилом

The features and  regularities of self−assembly and  self− organization processes in the diffusion−limited conditions (method of drops) of aqueous (deionized water) colloidal solutions of multi−walled carbon nanotubes with aerosil under the influence of constant electric fields with a value varying of direct  current voltage  from 15 to 25 V have been studied. During droplet evaporation in an electric field, the processes of hierarchical structuring have been studied and the formation of linear piecewise with the sizes of 40—120 nm, fractal structures 25—45 nm and  diffusion structures 250 nm from MWCNT — COOH + aerosil  + H2ODI  have  been observed. These structures have  been analyzed by methods of confocal microscopy, X−ray powder diffraction, Raman scattering, atomic force microscopy, FT−IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The size of micro− and nanostructures in hyperbolic dependence of d = 1/U in the  approximation d → 2R, and their growth rate  increases as U2 have been observed. Intensive ultrasonic dispersion proves to produce a centrally−axial arrangement located SWCNT after ultrasonic dispersing of functionalized MWCNT — COOH + aerosil  + H2ODI colloidal solution, as confirmed by excitation of Raman lines in the low−wavelength region, the so−called breathing mode, resulting in the existence of mixed types sp2−hybridization with π− and σ−carbon bonds, as well as metallic and semiconducting conductivity, which indicates great practical importance of this structuring for the development of nanoelectronics. Изучены особенности и закономерности процессов самосборки и самоорганизации в диффузионно−ограниченных условиях (методом из капли) водных (деионизированная вода)  коллоидных растворов многостенных углеродных нанотрубок (МУНТ) с аэросилом под воздействием постоянных электрических полей, варьируемых по величине от 15 до 25 В. В ходе испарения капли в однородном электрическом поле изучены процессы иерархического структурирования и обнаружено формирование линейно−кусочных образований размером 40—120 нм, фрактальных структур — 25—45 нм, а также диффузных структур — 250 нм из «МУНТ — COOH + аэросил + H2Oд.в». Проведены исследования структур методами конфокальной микроскопии, рентгеновской дифрактометрии, спектроскопии комбинационного рассеяния, атомно−силовой микроскопии, ИК−спектроскопии и сканирующей электронной микроскопии. Установлено,  что размеры наблюдаемых микро− и наноструктур уменьшаются по гиперболической зависимости d = 1/U в приближении d  → 2R, а скорость их роста возрастает как U2. Доказано, что интенсивное ультразвуковое диспергирование функционализированных «МУНТ — COOH + аэросил + H2Oд.в» в коллоидном растворе вызывает появление внутри одностенных углеродных нанотрубок с центрально−осевым расположением так называемых дыхательных мод. Это подтверждается возбуждением линий КРС в коротковолновой области, и обусловливает как существование смешанных типов sp2−гибридизации с π− и σ−углеродными связями, так и металлической и полупроводниковой проводимостей, что указывает на большое практическое значение такого структурирования для развития наноэлектроники