Investigation of Finger Millet Floral Structure and Hand Emasculation

The knowledge of floral structure, floral biology and pollination behavior are pre-requisite for understanding the system and its manipulation for developing a proper crossing in which is largely lacking in small millets. The variability in floral structure and biology was studied in various finger millet genotypes. The inflorescence consisted of a cluster of variable number of spikes called fingers. Each finger has two opposite rows of spikelets. A spiklete contains variable number of florets. The florets are hermaphrodite, perfect except for the terminal florets. The floret is covered by two large glumes, enclosed between a pair of palea.  The florets are in the axil of lemma. The androecium consists of three stamens. The gynoecium is bicarpellary, unilocular with superior ovary. Near the base of ovary two lodicules are present. There was a wide range of variation in the length of anther, filament, stigma and style. Anthesis occurred between 1.00 a.m. to 6.00 a.m., the peak period of anthesis being between 3.00 to 5.00 a.m. the pollen viability at the time of dehiscence of anthers ranged from 76.92 to 100 percent. Keywords: Emasculation, Finger millet, floral structure DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-14-01 Publication date:July 31st 2022

Impact of Conditional Cash Transfers on Maternal and Newborn Health

Maternal and newborn health (MNH) is a high priority for global health and is included among the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, the slow decline in maternal and newborn mortality jeopardizes achievements of the targets of MDGs. According to UNICEF, 60 million women give birth outside of health facilities, and family planning needs are satisfied for only 50%. Further, skilled birth attendance and the use of antenatal care are most inequitably distributed in maternal and newborn health interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes have been shown to increase health service utilization among the poorest but little is written on the effects of such programmes on maternal and newborn health. We carried out a systematic review of studies on CCT that report maternal and newborn health outcomes, including studies from 8 countries. The CCT programmes have increased antenatal visits, skilled attendance at birth, delivery at a health facility, and tetanus toxoid vaccination for mothers and reduced the incidence of low birthweight. The programmes have not had a significant impact on fertility while the impact on maternal and newborn mortality has not been welldocumented thus far. Given these positive effects, we make the case for further investment in CCT programmes for maternal and newborn health, noting gaps in knowledge and providing recommendations for better design and evaluation of such programmes. We recommend more rigorous impact evaluations that document impact pathways and take factors, such as cost-effectiveness, into account

Impact of Conditional Cash Transfers on Maternal and Newborn Health

Maternal and newborn health (MNH) is a high priority for global health and is included among the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, the slow decline in maternal and newborn mortality jeopardizes achievements of the targets of MDGs. According to UNICEF, 60 million women give birth outside of health facilities, and family planning needs are satisfied for only 50%. Further, skilled birth attendance and the use of antenatal care are most inequitably distributed in maternal and newborn health interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes have been shown to increase health service utilization among the poorest but little is written on the effects of such programmes on maternal and newborn health. We carried out a systematic review of studies on CCT that report maternal and newborn health outcomes, including studies from 8 countries. The CCT programmes have increased antenatal visits, skilled attendance at birth, delivery at a health facility, and tetanus toxoid vaccination for mothers and reduced the incidence of low birthweight. The programmes have not had a significant impact on fertility while the impact on maternal and newborn mortality has not been well-documented thus far. Given these positive effects, we make the case for further investment in CCT programmes for maternal and newborn health, noting gaps in knowledge and providing recommendations for better design and evaluation of such programmes. We recommend more rigorous impact evaluations that document impact pathways and take factors, such as cost-effectiveness, into account

Health and Humanitarian Logistics - Panel 1: Strengthening Public Health Systems

Presented at the 8th Annual Conference on Health and Humanitarian Logistics, August 29-31, 2016, Atlanta, GA.Day 1 - Panel 1: Strengthening Public Health Systems ; Moderated by Ambassador Charles ShapiroBob Emrey is a Lead Health Systems Specialist in the Office of Health Systems, USAID, Bureau for Global Health. The presentation was: Health System Strengthening.James Fitzgerald, PhD, Director, Health Systems and Services, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The presentation was: Resilence in Health Systems.Christine Galavotti, PhD, Senior Director for Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health CARE USA. The presentation was: Building an Effective, Responsive and Resilient Health System.Dean Sienko, MD, Vice President for Health Programs, The Carter Center. The presentation was: Carter Center Health ProgramsAmbassador Charles Shapiro, President, World Affairs Council of Atlanta (Moderator). The presentation was: The Widening Racial Wealth Gap and Toxic Inequality (Moderator) .Runtime: 139:46 minutesThis panel will focus on issues in public health not only related to treating or managing disease but also promoting (e.g., through primary care) and maintaining health. Poverty, ageing population, urbanization, environmental factors, etc. all contribute to the increasing challenges in achieving desired levels of health care. In addition to the “quantity” of care, “quality” is also important, which can be improved by filling the gaps in knowledge, new technologies, or a change in focus from “sick” care to “health” care. The panel will discuss current challenges and opportunities towards achieving long-lasting health, including education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and the prevention of disease