Disease pattern, health services utilization and cost of treatment in Pakistan

Population based data on disease patterns, health services utilization and cost incurred on treatment in Pakistan were collected through a nation-wide sample survey in 1982-83. The survey for the first time revealed, the burden of disease on the society. The analysis done here suggest, that about one-sixth of the population suffered from an illness during the past one month period. As expected, illness was more prevalent among children, women in reproductive ages and the elderly. Over two-thirds of those who fell ill, suffered from malaria and fever and one-fifth from diarrhoea and dysenteries. There was heavy reliance on private physicians for treatment of those who fell, about two- thirds in the urban and one-third in the rural areas, consulted private physicians. On the other hand, in both the areas, less than one-sixth utilized the government health facilities. The cost of health care on an average, was 4% of the total income in the urban and 5% in the rural areas. In both the areas, this constituted over 7% of the monthly household income of the poorest. Suggestions are made to overcome the high cost of health care through broad based national health policy and implementation of primary health care programme

Supersolids in confined fermions on one-dimensional optical lattices

Using quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we show that density-density and pairing correlation functions of the one-dimensional attractive fermionic Hubbard model in a harmonic confinement potential are characterized by the anomalous dimension $K_\rho$ of a corresponding periodic system, and hence display quantum critical behavior. The corresponding fluctuations render the SU(2) symmetry breaking by the confining potential irrelevant, leading to structure form factors for both correlation functions that scale with the same exponent upon increasing the system size, thus giving rise to a (quasi)supersolid.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, published versio

Cooper pair islanding model of insulating nanohoneycomb films

We first review evidence for the Cooper pair insulator (CPI) phase in amorphous nanohoneycomb (NHC) films. We then extend our analysis of superconducting islands induced by film thickness variations in NHC films to examine the evolution of island sizes through the magnetic field-driven SIT. Finally, using the islanding picture, we present a plausible model for the appearance and behavior of the CPI phase in amorphous NHC films.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Marinas as habitats for nearshore fish assemblages: comparative analysis of underwater visual census, baited cameras and fish traps

Understanding the ecological role that artificial structures might play on nearshore fish assemblages requires the collection of accurate and reliable data through efficient sampling techniques. In this work, differences in the composition and structure of fish assemblages between the inner and outer sides of three marinas located in the temperate northern-eastern Atlantic Ocean were tested using three complementary sampling techniques: underwater visual censuses (UVC), baited cameras (BCs) and fish traps (FTs). UVCs and BCs recorded a comparable number and relative abundance of species, which in turn were much greater than those recorded by FTs. This finding supports the use of UVCs and BCs over FTs for broad ecologically studies, especially when dealing with structurally complex habitats such as artificial structures. We found differences in fish assemblage structure between the inner and outer sides of marinas, independently of the sampling method. Four small-sized species (Similiparma lurida, Thalassoma pavo, Sarpa salpa and Symphodus roissali) associated with structurally complex vegetated habitats dominated, in terms of abundance, the outer sides of marinas; Diplodus vulgaris, Diplodus sargus and Gobius niger, species with high ecological plasticity in habitat requirements, dominated the inner sides of marinas. The information provided in this study is of great interest for developing sound monitoring programmes to ascertain the effects of artificial structures on fish communities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Review of aquaculture and fish consumption in Bangladesh

Fish play a crucial role in the Bangladeshi diet, providing more than 60% of animal source food, representing a crucial source of micro-nutrients, and possessing an extremely strong cultural attachment. Fish (including shrimp and prawn) is the second most valuable agricultural crop, and its production contributes to the livelihoods and employment of millions. The culture and consumption of fish therefore has important implications for national food and nutrition security, poverty and growth. This review examines the current state of knowledge on the aquaculture sector and fish consumption in Bangladesh, based on extensive analysis of secondary sources (including unpublished data unavailable elsewhere), consultation with various experts and specially conducted surveys. The review is comprised of three sections. Section 1 describes the main systems of aquaculture production in terms of their technical and social characteristics and outputs. Section 2 addresses issues relating to seed and feed. The final section analyses fish consumption patterns and demand, and attempts to estimate the volumes of fish produced from a range of sources.Food fish, Aquaculture, Food consumption, Fish consumption, Pond culture, Rice field aquaculture, Bangladesh,

Effect of stage of maturity and frying time on the quality of Banana springs

Banana springs are a new snack food similar to banana chips. This study focuses on the quality improvement of banana springs. The effects of stage of maturity and time of frying on the quality of banana springs prepared from two varieties namely, Musa acuminata Colla cv. Berangan and Musa paradisiaca L. cv. Nangka, were evaluated. Five stages of maturity, i.e., i) mature, ii) early ripening, iii) intermediate ripening, iv) ripe, and v) overripe, were used in the trial. The total soluble solid (TSS) of two varieties at different maturity stages was measured. Banana springs were made by using spiral potato slicer. The slices of banana spring were 2±0.1 mm in thickness. The banana springs were deep fried in refined, bleached and deodorised (RBD) palm olein at a temperature of 170o C for 0, 3, 4, 5, and 6 minutes respectively. The fried banana springs were tested for their texture and crispiness. The samples were assessed for colour, flavour, texture, taste and overall acceptability by a 30-member taste panel. The TSS content of Nangka banana was greater than Berangan banana and the TSS content increased with maturity but it was a bit different between two varieties. Banana springs of Nangka variety had a higher value for texture (hardiness), especially at the early maturing stages in comparison to Berangan banana. Frying of banana springs for five and six minutes produced the same quality. An acceptable product with good taste, crispness, and the odour was obtained from both the varieties when fried at 170o C for 5 minutes. Nangka banana was better in respect of sweetness, odour, texture, and crispness vis-a-vis Berangan. Green matured banana (Maturity index I) of both the varieties was found suitable for the preparation of quality banana springs

The reproductive biology of Spondyliosoma cantharus (L.) from the SW Coast of Portugal

The study of Spondyliosoma cantharus (L.) reproduction was carried out within the framework of a project on the Fisheries resources of the south-west coast of Portugal, and was based on the analysis of the spawning season, gonad maturation, size-at-maturity, fecundity, and hermaphroditism. Spawning took place from February to April, peaking in March. Analysis of the sex ratio by size class and season showed that females were more abundant throughout the year (M/F=0.57) and in the smaller size classes. Overall size at first maturity (L-50) was 20.10 cm total length (TL), with a significant difference between males (22.41 cm, TL) and females (19.98 cm, TL). Absolute fecundity (Fa) ranged from 37,506 to 112,074 oocytes, with a mean of 61,396. A power type relationship best described the relationships between absolute fecundity and TL (Fa = 436.27TL(1.575)), and somatic weight (Fa = 2979.7SW(0.585)). The number of oocytes/g of female somatic weight ranged from 217 to 549, with a mean of 346. The reproductive strategy of this species is characterised by protogynic hermaphroditism, as indicated by the presence of individuals in transition and of testes with vestiges of preceding ovaries associated with the significant differences in the size frequency distributions of the sexes

Potensi Tepung Cacing Tanah Lumbricus SP. sebagai Pengganti Tepung Ikan dalam Pakan terhadap Kinerja Pertumbuhan, Komposisi Tubuh, Kadar Glikogen Hati dan Otot Ikan Bandeng Chanos Chanos Forsskal [Potensial Of Earthworm Lumbricus SP. Flour To Substitute Fish Meal In The Diet On Growth, Body Composition, Liver And Muscle Glycogen Of Milkfish Chanos Chanos]

Tujuan penelitian ini mengkaji potensi tepung cacing tanah (Lumbricus sp.) sebagai pengganti tepung ikan dalam pakan terhadap kinerja pertumbuhan, komposisi tubuh, kadar glikogen hati dan otot ikan bandeng. Desain penelitian menggu-nakan rancangan acak lengkap dengan empat perlakuan tingkat substitusi tepung ikan dengan tepung cacing tanah dalam pakan buatan ikan bandeng, yaitu: 0; 34,62; 65,38; dan 100%. Ikan uji dengan bobot awal 0,95±0,11 g dipelihara dalam akuarium berukuran 50 x 40 x 35 cm3 dengan sistem resirkulasi, dengan kepadatan 15 ekor pada setiap satuan percobaan. Pemberian pakan setiap pukul 07.00 dan 16.00 WITA dengan persentase 5% bobot badan per hari. Pemeliharaan dilakukan selama 60 hari. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ikan bandeng yang diberi pakan dengan berbagai tingkat substitusi tepung ikan dengan tepung cacing tanah memberikan pengaruh yang sama terhadap konsumsi pakan, efisiensi pakan, retensi protein dan lemak, serta sintasan, komposisi proksimat tubuh, serta kadar glikogen di hati dan otot. Tingkat substitusi tepung ikan dengan tepung cacing tanah tertinggi (100%) dapat meningkatkan pertumbuhan bobot relatif ikan bandeng yang tertinggi (1216,91±14,22%). Dengan demikian, tepung cacing tanah dapat menggantikan peranan tepung ikan hingga 100% dalam formulasi pakan untuk budi daya ikan bandeng