Modeling the Impact of Pandemic-Induced Shocks and Support Measures with an Emerging Market Economy: A GUI-Model Approach

Purpose: This paper analyzes the impacts of COVID-19 shocks on an emerging market economy using a Graphical User Interface (GUI) model. Methods: Event study analysis has been adopted using secondary data for measuring the impacts and impulse responses of different shocks. Results:  The paper shows how the shocks affect the economy using graphical presentations of impulse responses of major macroeconomic indicators. The shapes and movements of the impulse response curves indicate how the effects pass through from one sector to another; how long the effects may persist in the economy, and how much time will be required for recovery. All these simulations suggest that immediate supportive measures from both fiscal and monetary sides help recover the economy, although marginally due to the required higher costs stemming mainly from the higher exchange rate volatility. Implications: Several policy implications such as sector-specific support measures, prioritization of sectors, rationing of credit facilities, efficient exchange rate management, etc., can be followed by the countries regarding fiscal and monetary policy measures towards reducing COVID-19-induced similar shocks

A new estimate of carbon for Bangladesh forest ecosystems with their spatial distribution and REDD+ implications

In tropical developing countries, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is becoming an important mechanism for conserving forests and protecting biodiversity. A key prerequisite for any successful REDD+ project, however, is obtaining baseline estimates of carbon in forest ecosystems. Using available published data, we provide here a new and more reliable estimate of carbon in Bangladesh forest ecosystems, along with their geo-spatial distribution. Our study reveals great variability in carbon density in different forests and higher carbon stock in the mangrove ecosystems, followed by in hill forests and in inland Sal (Shorea robusta) forests in the country. Due to its coverage, degraded nature, and diverse stakeholder engagement, the hill forests of Bangladesh can be used to obtain maximum REDD+ benefits. Further research on carbon and biodiversity in under-represented forest ecosystems using a commonly accepted protocol is essential for the establishment of successful REDD+ projects and for the protection of the country’s degraded forests and for addressing declining levels of biodiversity

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Image pattern recognition in big data: taxonomy and open challenges: survey

Image pattern recognition in the field of big data has gained increasing importance and attention from researchers and practitioners in many domains of science and technology. This paper focuses on the usage of image pattern recognition for big data applications. In this context, the taxonomy of image pattern recognition and big data is revealed. The applications of image pattern recognition for big data, including multimedia, biometrics, and biology/biomedical, are also highlighted. Moreover, the significance of using pattern-based feature reduction in big data is discussed, and machine-learning techniques in pattern recognition applications are presented. A comparison based on the objectives of the approaches is presented to underline the taxonomy. This paper provides a novel review in exploring image recognition approaches for big data, which can be used in future research