Regulating telecommunications in developing countries : outcomes, incentives, and commitment

In response to the recent wave ofprivatizing and regulating monopolies in developing countries, the authors evaluate the impact of different regulatory schemes on private sector behavior in the telecommunications sector in seven countries. They find that regulation is most effective - meaning, it results in substantial investment by the private sector, reasonable returns on this investment, and greater productivity - where the government/regulators reduce the firm's information advantage, induce the firm (through pricing) to operate efficiently, and institute safeguarding mechanisms to protect the firm against expropriation of assets or quasi-rents. Conversely, where the government/regulators fail to resolve information, incentive, and commitment problems, private sector returns are relatively high, and investment and productivity are relatively low.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Decentralization,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Public Sector Economics&Finance,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Public Sector Economics&Finance,Knowledge Economy,Education for the Knowledge Economy

Management of Infective Endocarditis in Pregnancy by a Multidisciplinary Team: A Case Series

Introduction: The incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) in pregnancy is rare and has been increasing during the opioid epidemic. IE in pregnancy is associated with high rates of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Multidisciplinary endocarditis teams for management of IE have been shown to reduce in-hospital and 1-year mortality. We present a single-center experience managing IE in pregnancy utilizing a multidisciplinary endocarditis team. Methods: Patients diagnosed with IE while pregnant or within 30 days post-partum were identified. All patients discussed at the institution\u27s weekly multidisciplinary endocarditis meeting were included. Demographic and clinical data and outcome-related variables were retrospectively reviewed and recorded. Results: Between 1 October 2020 and 1 June 2021 6 pregnant or 30-day post-partum patients with IE were identified. All patients had co-morbid injection drug use; Staphylococcus aureus was the etiologic pathogen in all patients. All patients had embolic complications and 5 required ICU admission and mechanical ventilatory support. Four patients underwent valve replacement. There were no patient-directed discharges. All patients survived to hospital discharge and 90-days after diagnosis. Four pregnancies resulted in delivery at an average gestational age of 32.4 weeks with 3 requiring NICU admissions and prolonged lengths of stay. All patients were seen by addiction medicine and 5 were started on medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Discussion: In a small retrospective cases series, coordination of care by a multidisciplinary endocarditis team led to a high-rate of surgical intervention with no patient-directed discharges and no in-hospital or 90-day mortality. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary endocarditis teams are a low-risk intervention that may improve outcomes in pregnant patients with IE

Global telecom revolution: Spatial - Temporal aspects

195-212Current global telecommunication landscape is undergoing a paradigm change in terms of technologies and usage. <span style="color:black; mso-bidi-language:HI">Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications has emerged as the preferred technology followed by the fast growing Code Division Multiple Access (COMA) technology. Developed countries (without the transition countries) lead the world in number of landline and cellular connections, followed by high-income developing countries, which show the maximum growth. <span style="color:black; mso-bidi-language:HI">Paper also presents an analysis based on Digital Access Index (DAI) of the countries. India has emerged as a noteworthy participant in telecommunication market. Paper discusses techno-commercial and regulatory mechanism prevalent in the country. </span

Invasive aspergillosis of the liver in an immunocompetent patient

Introduction: Invasive aspergillosis is most often seen in immunocompromised patients, although there are rare case reports of infection in immunocompetent hosts. We present a case of an immunocompetent patient with isolated hepatic aspergillosis. Case presentation: A 77-year-old male with chronic kidney disease stage III and history of Whipple procedure for a benign pancreatic mass 12 years prior presented with 1.5 months of fatigue, decreased appetite, chills, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Prior to the onset of his illness he was active and functional. Exam was pertinent for right upper quadrant tenderness. Imaging at an outside institution revealed a large heterogeneous liver mass, which on biopsy showed granulomatous inflammation and fungal forms identified as aseptate hyphae concerning for mucormycosis. He was transferred to our hospital for surgical resection. A review of the pathology slides and repeat biopsy revealed fungal forms identified as acute angle branching septate hyphae most consistent with Aspergillus. Concurrent cultures grew Aspergillus fumigatus. Extensive work-up including imaging of the sinuses, lungs and abdomen, along with bronchoscopy, colonoscopy, and endoscopy were negative. He was started on amphotericin B and anidulafungin but amphotericin was changed to voriconazole when diagnosis of aspergillosis was confirmed. He was deemed high risk for surgery, given the extent of resection that would be required. Work up for malignancy was negative. His hospital course was complicated with worsening respiratory, liver and renal failure, and he expired on day 25. Discussion: Hepatic invasion by Aspergillus is uncommon, including in the immunocompromised. Our patient was immunocompetent but did have altered anatomy from his Whipple procedure and underwent regular instrumentation every few years with upper endoscopy. It is feasible that this allowed a portal of entry for Aspergillus to his GI tract. Another possibility is that he ingested food highly contaminated with Aspergillus which has been reported. Given the paucity of data for hepatic aspergillosis, optimal therapy remains unclear, and a rational approach is to combine medical and surgical therapy. Conclusion: This is a rare case of an immunocompetent patient with primary hepatic aspergillosis without another focus of infection. It highlights the diagnostic and management challenges faced with invasive gastrointestinal aspergillosis.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2019caserpt/1035/thumbnail.jp

Migration, Gender and Home Economics in Rural North India

This book critically examines the socio-economic impacts of out-migration on households and gender dynamics in rural northern India. The first of its kind, this study unearths, through detailed regional and demographical research, the ways in which economic and migratory trends of male family members in rural India in general, and hilly regions of Garhwal in particular, affect the wives, children, extended families, and agricultural lands that they have left behind. It offers vital research in how rural India’s socio-economic formations and topographic characteristics can today more effectively contribute to the national and global economy with respect to migratory trends, gender dynamics and home life. Furthermore, it investigates the collapse of agricultural and many other traditional economic activities without a corresponding creation of fresh economic opportunities. This book moreover elucidates how male out-migration from rural to urban centres has greatly re-shaped kinship and economic structures at places of origin and has consequently had a serious impact on the socio-psychological well-being of family members. This book will be of great value to scholars and researchers of development economics, agricultural economics, environment studies, sociology, social anthropology, population studies, gender and women’s studies, social psychology, migration and diaspora studies, South Asian studies and behavioral studies