Migration and household adaptation in climate-sensitive hotspots in South Asia

This is the final version. Available from Springer Nature via the DOI in this record. Purpose of Review: South Asia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, owing to the high dependency on climate-sensitive livelihoods and recurrent extreme events. Consequently, an increasing number of households are adopting labour migration as a livelihood strategy to diversify incomes, spread risks, and meet aspirations. Under the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA) initiative, four research consortia have investigated migration patterns and their inherent linkages to adaptation to climate change in climate hotspots. This article synthesizes key findings in regional context of South Asia. Recent Findings: The synthesis suggests that in climate-sensitive hotspots, migration is an important livelihood diversification strategy and a response to various risks, including climate change. Typically, one or more household members, often young men, migrated internally or internationally to work in predominantly informal sectors. Remittances helped spatially diversify household income, spread risks, and insure against external stressors. The outcomes of migration are often influenced by who moves, where to, and what capacities they possess. Summary: Migration was found to help improve household adaptive capacity, albeit in a limited capacity. Migration was mainly used as a response to risk and uncertainty, but with potential to have positive adaptation co-benefits.International Development Research Centr

Advanced X-ray shielding and antibacterial smart multipurpose fabric impregnated with polygonal shaped bismuth oxide nanoparticles in carbon nanotubes via green synthesis

Synthesis of multifunctional hybrid materials for X-rays’ attenuation is attracting more recognition recently because of several superiorities over the conventional radiation shielding materials made using toxic lead-based compounds. For the first time*, the present study investigates the microwave irradiation based green synthesis and in-situ stabilization of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) by a novel approach for making advanced material. TEM and XRD studies have shown that nanoparticles have a uniform size with polygonal morphology and are impregnated on MWCNT. The developed hybrid nanocomposite's physical appearance is gel-like. It was then applied on a cotton fabric piece to create a multifunctional material and valuable for the fabrications of aprons, bandages, and X-ray shielding caskets. The porous nature of cotton fabric has facilitated the adhesion and stabilization of the nanocomposite. The elemental composition and topology of the hybrid material were further analyzed by XPS, EDX and AFM studies, respectively. The higher attenuation characteristics and shielding efficiency of the developed material are due to the dual shielding effect of polygonal nanoparticles and MWCNT. Availability of metal atoms with higher valency allowed the higher photoelectric effect followed by the Compton effect during X-ray shielding

Subacute Effects of the Thiodicarb Pesticide on Target Organs of Male Wistar Rats: Biochemical, Histological, and Flow Cytometry Studies

Thiodicarb, a carbamate pesticide widely used on crops, may pose several environmental and health concerns. This study aimed to explore its toxicological profile on male rats using hematological, biochemical, histopathological, and flow cytometry markers. Exposed animals were dosed daily at 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg/body weight (group A, B, and C, respectively) during 30 d. No significant changes were observed in hematological parameters among all groups. After 10 d, a decrease of total cholesterol levels was noted in rats exposed to 40 mg/kg. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity increased (group A at 20 d; groups A and B at 30 d) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (group B at 30 d) activity significantly reduced. At 30 d a decrease of some of the other evaluated parameters was observed with total cholesterol and urea levels in group A as well as total protein and creatinine levels in groups A and B. Histological results demonstrated multi-organ dose-related damage in thiodicarb-exposed animals, evidenced as hemorrhagic and diffuse vacuolation in hepatic tissue; renal histology showed disorganized glomeruli and tubular cell degeneration; spleen was ruptured with white pulp and clusters of iron deposits within red pulp; significant cellular loss was noted at the cortex of thymus; and degenerative changes were observed within testis. The histopathologic alterations were most prominent in the high-dose group. Concerning flow cytometry studies, an increase of lymphocyte number, especially T lymphocytes, was seen in blood samples from animals exposed to the highest dose. Taken together, these results indicate marked systemic organ toxicity in rats after subacute exposure to thiodicarb