Global forces of change : implications for forest-poverty dynamics

This article examines global trends likely to influence forests and tree-based systems and considers the poverty implications of these interactions. The trends, identified through a series of expert discussions and review of the literature, include: (i) climatic impacts mediated through changes in forests, (ii) growth in commodity markets, (iii) shifts in private and public forest sector financing, (iv) technological advances and rising interconnectivity, (v) global socio-political movements, and (vi) emerging infectious diseases. These trends bring opportunities and risks to the forest-reliant poor. A review of available evidence suggests that in a business-as-usual scenario, the cumulative risks posed by these global forces, in conjunction with limited rights, resources, and skills required to prosper from global changes, are likely to place poor and transient poor households under additional stress. The article concludes with an assessment of how interventions for enhancing forest management, combined with supportive policy and institutional conditions, can contribute to a different and more prosperous future for forests and people

A computerised axial tomography (C.A.T.) study of alcohol induced cerebral atrophy-in conjuction with the other correlates

Subsequent to a pilot study with 26 heavy drinkers (Cala et al, 1978) we have now examined a total of 73 subjects; 59 right handed males, two left handed males and 12 females, with the aim of verifying previous findings. In the interests of examining a homogeneous population, this presentation is confined to computerized axial tomography (C.A.T.) and psychometric examination of the right handed males. The C.A.T. findings were compared with those of 62 normal male volunteer subjects. The clinical examination, included for the initial 26 subjects in the pilot study could not be extended for the later subjects

The effects of alcohol in social drinkers

Letter to the Edito

Brain atrophy and intellectual impairment in heavy Drinkers-A clinical, psychometric and computerized tomography study

The frequency of cerebral and cerebellar atrophy was assessed by computerized tomography (CT) in 26 heavy drinkers. Findings were correlated with clinical deficits, with the results of psychometric testing using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and with the alcoholic history and nutritional status. Cerebral atrophy was present in 19 cases (73%), 16 of whom also had cerebellar atrophy. There was a good correlation between the degree of cerebral hemisphere atrophy and age and length of drinking history, but a poor correlation between neurological deficits and atrophy. Impairment of visuo-spatial and visuo-motor functions with sparing of other non-dominant hemisphere functions and of verbal skills was the characteristic pattern found with the WAIS in 18 subjects; four showed a more global depression of intellectual function. The degree of cerebral hemisphere atrophy correlated significantly with the impairment of non-dominant hemisphere functions but not with total IQ