Rent-Seeking in Noxious Weed Regulations: Evidence from US States

Many non-native insect, disease, and weed pests of food, fiber, and nursery crops pose threats to the U.S. environment, agricultural production, and exports. In this study we focus on regulations controlling the spread of noxious weeds, especially the regulatory differences among US states and investigate the determinants of such regulations. With a simple game-theoretic framework, we derive cross-state regulatory congruence as a function of ecological and agronomic characteristics and stakeholder lobbying through political contributions. Empirical results suggest ecological and agronomic dissimilarities drive large cross-state differences in noxious weed regulation across states. However, evidence of stakeholder interests in shaping these regulations is found to be statistically significant. In particular, the seed industry appears to favor more uniform regulations among US states.Environmental Economics and Policy,

Productivity ratings in relation to holding size and resource-management in Indian rubber plantation sector

The smallholdings dominate the natural rubber (NR) plantation industry in India. The holding size profile of the smallholdings shows that about 86 per cent are below 2 ha, 62 per cent of which falls within 0.5 -2.0 ha. The average unit size is above 1.0 ha in non-traditional (NT) area where NR plantation expansion is in progress. This study was taken up to analyze the relation between the holding size, resource management and productivity since resource-poor smallholders' productivity is remarkably higher than that of lager units. The productivity and the resource availability/management in smallholdings falling under three categories, viz., <0.5 ha, between 0.5 and 2.0 ha and >2.0 ha, were analyzed based on primary data collected from smallholdings having linkage with RPSs. Data from respondent estates also were analyzed. The difference in the productivity between the three categories studied was found to be significant. The larger holdings enjoyed better resource availability than smaller ones; but, the latter was better in resource-management. Highest productivity was recorded from units < 0.5 ha. Productivity and unit size were inversely proportional within the categories of smallholdings analyzed. Measures to ensure prompt adoption of productivity enhancement practices in medium/large holdings by way of effective resource management possible through group approach have to be initiated to increase the production of NR in India as they occupy a major chunk of NR plantations. Estates too can attempt to tap the potentials of group synergy through workers' SHGs. Productivity enhancement through optimum resource-use has a direct bearing on sustainability of Indian NR industry

Viscous Dusty Fluid Flow with Constant Velocity Magnitude

We consider the viscous dusty fluid, where the velocity of the dust particle is everywhere parallel to that of the fluid with velocity magnitude of the fluid is constant along each individual streamline. Also it is assumed that number density of the dust particle is constant and the dust particles are uniform in size and shape and bulk concentration of the dust is small. Hodograph and Legendre transform of stream function is employed to get the solutions and the geometry of streamlines for these flows by using the resulting partial differential equations when the Jacobian is zero and nonzero cases. In each case the variation of pressure is analyzed graphicall

Are probiotics a feasible intervention for prevention of diarrhoea in the developing world?

With more than 1.4 million of the 9 million child deaths being attributed to diarrhoea in 2008 and 49% of them occurring in five countries namely, India, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan and China, there is an urgent need for intervention to prevent and control diarrhoeal diseases. Of the various interventions, probiotics offer immense potential. The past decade has witnessed the validation of their utility for the prevention, treatment and management of a variety of infective and non infective disorders. The most investigated field continues to remain infectious diarrhoea and compelling evidence comes from randomized placebo controlled trials. While results from these studies are encouraging most of them reflect the outcomes of the developed world. Developing countries like India continue to struggle with nutritional and health challenges and bear the greatest burden of diarrhoea. A paucity of data from the developing countries limits the definite recommendation of probiotics. In these countries curd, often confused for a probiotic, is practiced as an integral part of the culture. While the nutritional benefits of these products cannot be understated, it is still uncertain whether these products can be classified as a probiotic. The emergence of probiotic foods which are scientifically validated for their efficacy and impart defined health benefits offer an excellent opportunity to improve public health. A recent randomized controlled trial conducted by the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases in Kolkata, India demonstrated a protective efficacy of 14% in preventing diarrhoea among children who received a probiotic. For the developing world however the vision for probiotics would mean a fundamental change in perception and developing a well planned strategy to allow interventions like probiotics to permeate to impoverished settings, where the assault of micro organisms is on a daily basis. This would mean that probiotics are ingrained into the public health system without being seen as a medicine

Flagellar Kinematics and Swimming of Algal Cells in Viscoelastic Fluids

The motility of microorganisms is influenced greatly by their hydrodynamic interactions with the fluidic environment they inhabit. We show by direct experimental observation of the bi-flagellated alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that fluid elasticity and viscosity strongly influence the beating pattern - the gait - and thereby control the propulsion speed. The beating frequency and the wave speed characterizing the cyclical bending are both enhanced by fluid elasticity. Despite these enhancements, the net swimming speed of the alga is hindered for fluids that are sufficiently elastic. The origin of this complex response lies in the interplay between the elasticity-induced changes in the spatial and temporal aspects of the flagellar cycle and the buildup and subsequent relaxation of elastic stresses during the power and recovery strokes

Study of factors associated with poor glycemic control in Type -2 Diabetic patients

Diabetes mellitus is the most common chronic diseases among adults. By 2030, number will increase to 439 million with prevalence of 7.7 %. Number of deaths in adult due to diabetes is estimated to be 3.96 million per year and mortality rate of diabetes in all ages is 6.8 %, at global level. In India, 40 million have diabetes. By 2025 it is estimated to rise to 70 million. In spite of well-defined treatment for type 2 diabetes, in majority of the people, disease is poorly controlled with existing therapies. Studies like UKPDS and DCCT have proven that poor glycemic control(HbA1C>7%) is associated with increased risk for micro vascular complications. An Indian study showed that the prevalence of diabetes is high in urban India. There is a large pool of subjects with impaired glucose tolerance at a high risk of conversion to diabetes. Hence it would be interesting to identify the factors associated with poor control of diabetes

Wandoo Walk 1

Cervical cancer is a life-threatening complication, appearing as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix. Every year, increasing numbers of cervical cancer cases are reported worldwide. Different identification strategies were proposed to detect cervical cancer at the earlier stages using various biomarkers. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) is one of the potential biomarkers for this diagnosis. Nanomaterial-based detection systems were shown to be efficient with different clinical biomarkers. In this study, we have demonstrated strontium oxide-modified interdigitated electrode (IDE) fabrication by the sol-gel method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and high-power microscopy. Analysis of the bare devices indicated the reproducibility with the fabrication, and further pH scouting on the device revealed that the reliability of the working pH ranges from 3 to 9. The sensing surface was tested to detect SCC-Ag against its specific antibody; the detection limit was found to be 10 pM, and the sensitivity was in the range between 1 and 10 pM as calculated by 3σ. The specificity experiment was carried out using major proteins from human serum, such as albumin and globulin. SCC-Ag was shown to be selectively detected on the strontium oxide-modified IDE surface

Filarial/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection in Urban Southern India

The disease course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often altered by existing or newly acquired coinfections. Treatment or prevention of these concomitant infections often improves the quality and duration of life of HIV-infected persons. The impact of helminth infections on infections with HIV is less clear. However, HIV is frequently most problematic in areas where helminth infections are common. In advance of the widespread distribution of drugs for elimination of lymphatic filariasis, we assessed the prevalence of active Wuchereria bancrofti infection among HIV-positive patients in Chennai, India at two time points separated by four years. We found that the overall prevalence of W. bancrofti infections among HIV-positive persons was 5–9.5%, and there were no quantitative differences in circulating filarial antigen levels between HIV-positive and HIV-negative filarial-infected patients

Prevention of the development of psychological distress following a motor vehicle crash: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

© 2016 Guest et al. Background: It is estimated that up to 50 % of motor vehicle crash survivors develop significant psychological distress, such as depressive mood and anxiety, within 6 months of the crash. Associated impacts include loss of employment, delayed return to work, financial and familial stress, and increased medical and compensation costs. The major aim of this research is to investigate the efficacy of interventions for preventing the development of psychological distress following a motor vehicle crash. The efficacy of two brief interventions will be examined: a cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) programme, targeting mood and anxiety, and a lifestyle programme, targeting sleep, diet and physical activity. Methods/design: This is a randomized, controlled multisite study. Participants include at least 180 adults injured in a motor vehicle crash who have entered a compensation process. Research will compare outcomes in three groups randomly assigned to: one group of 60 adults, who receive a brief email-delivered CBT programme, with one session every 2 weeks for 10 weeks and telephone contact every 2 weeks; a second group of 60 adults, who receive a brief email-delivered lifestyle intervention involving one session every 2 weeks for 10 weeks with telephone contact; and an active waiting-list control group of 60 adults who are provided claims processing-related reading material along with telephone contact every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. Participants will be recruited within 12 weeks of the motor vehicle crash, and will be comprehensively assessed before and after treatment, and 6 and 12 months post-injury. Assuming an α probability level of 0.05 and a power of 80 %, at least 180 participants will be recruited. The primary outcome measure is the presence and severity of psychological distress or disorder. Secondary outcome measures include assessment of self-efficacy, resilience employment status, social activity and support, lifestyle and physical health factors, along with process outcome measures of treatment acceptability, feasibility and generalizability. Discussion: This study will determine whether brief email-delivered interventions distributed soon after the injury and entry into the claims process can be effective in preventing the development of psychological distress. Trial registration: ANZCTR, ACTRN12615000326594. Registered on 9 April 2015