Children’s Experiences of Family Disruption in Sweden

This paper examines the living arrangements of Swedish children from 1970 through 1999 using the Level of Living Survey. Sweden, with low levels of economic inequality and a generous welfare state, provides an important context for studying socioeconomic differentials in family structure. We find that, although differences by parent education in non-marital childbearing are substantial and persistent, cohabiting childbearing is common even among highly educated Swedish parents. Educational differences in family instability were small during the 1970s, but increased over time as a result of rising union disruption among less-educated parents (secondary graduates or less). Children in more advantaged families experienced substantially less change in family structure and instability over the study period. Although cohabiting parents were more likely to separate than parents married at the child’s birth, differences were greater for the less-educated. Data limitations precluded investigating these differences across time. We conclude that educational differences in children’s living arrangements in Sweden have grown, but remain small in international comparisons.children, cohabitation, family dynamics, family structure

Impact of urban growth on water bodies: The case of Hyderabad

Being located in the Deccan Plateau region, Hyderabad city has been dotted with a number of lakes, which formed very important component of its physical environment. With the increasing control of the State and private agencies over the years, and rapid urban sprawl of the city, many of the water bodies have been totally lost. Many have been shrunk in size while the waters of several lakes got polluted with the discharge of untreated domestic and industrial effluents. This study makes an attempt to analyse the transformation of common property resources (the lakes) into private property. The adverse consequences of the loss of water bodies are felt in the steep decline in water table and the resultant water crisis in several areas. Further, the severity of flooding that was witnessed in August 2000 was also due to a reduction in the carrying capacity of lakes and water channels. The State has not bothered to either implement the existing laws or pay attention to the suggestions of environmental organisations in this regard. The paper argues that in this process of loss of water bodies in Hyderabad, the State is as much responsible as private agencies in terms of the policies that it has formulated and the lack of ensuring legislation and implementation.

Impact of Urban Growth on Water Bodies - The Case of Hyderabad

Being located in the Deccan Plateau region, Hyderabad city has been dotted with a number of lakes, which formed very important component of its physical environment. With the increasing control of the State and private agencies over the years, and rapid urban sprawl of the city, many of the water bodies have been totally lost. Many have been shrunk in size while the waters of several lakes got polluted with the discharge of untreated domestic and industrial effluents. This study makes an attempt to analyse the transformation of common property resources (the lakes) into private property. The adverse consequences of the loss of water bodies are felt in the steep decline in water table and the resultant water crisis in several areas. Further, the severity of flooding that was witnessed in August 2000 was also due to a reduction in the carrying capacity of lakes and water channels. The State has not bothered to either implement the existing laws or pay attention to the suggestions of environmental organisations in this regard. The paper argues that in this process of loss of water bodies in Hyderabad, the State is as much responsible as private agencies in terms of the policies that it has formulated and the lack of ensuring legislation and implementation.Urban Growth, Water Bodies, Hyderabad

Cohabitation and children's living arrangements

This paper uses the 1995 and 2002 waves of the National Survey of Family Growth to examine recent trends in cohabitation in the United States. We find increases in both the prevalence and duration of unmarried cohabitation. Cohabitation continues to transform children’s family lives, as children are increasingly likely to be born to a cohabiting mother (18% during 1997-2001) or to experience their mother’s entry into a cohabiting union. Consequently, we estimate that two-fifths of all children spend some time in a cohabiting family by age 12. Because of substantial missing data in the 2002 NSFG, we are unable to produce new estimates of divorce and children’s time in single-parent families. Nonetheless, our results point to the steady growth of cohabitation and to the evolving role of cohabitation in U.S. family life.children, cohabitation, family dynamics, family structure

Validating a network hub in leukaemia stem cells

No abstract available

Cross-species RNAi: dermas from two Ascaris genes sterilize Caenorhabditis [abstract]

Abstract only availableFaculty Mentor: Dr. Karen Bennett, Molecular Microbiology & ImmunologyThe parasitic nematode Ascaris lumbricoides is the most ubiquitous human parasite, infecting ~ 1/4th of the world's population, while about 25% of Missouri swine are infected with the closely-related species A. suum. Ascaris worms lay 240,000 eggs per day! Because parasitic nematodes are rapidly developing multi-drug resistance, we reasoned that RNA interference (RNAi) might be applicable as a novel anti-parasitic agent. Since ascarid worms cannot be maintained for long in the laboratory, we have begun by testing Ascaris genes in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis, a model organism that is amenable to laboratory culture. Several Ascaris cDNAs with stretches of identity to C. elegans of >21 nucleotides (nts) and with an overall match of >80% for ~400nts were amplified from Ascaris ovarian RNA. Thus far, after injection into C. elegans, two A. suum genes have been successful in sterilizing C. elegans. In our first tests ~90% of the offspring were either dead embryos or sterile F1 adult worms. Although both genes are highly conserved, neither has a mammalian counterpart with a match of 21 nts. To understand more about RNAi in C. elegans, we are planning to try cross-species RNAi with only a 26 nt match. We also plan to test nematode-specific genes, to expand our studies to the moreapplicable feeding methods of dsRNA delivery, and to test these candidates in isolated Ascaris worms

Training programme for fisher-women on preparation of food from seaweed — An evaluation study

With the objective of extending the methods of preparation of seaweed as food which can help to increase the income generating opportunities and nutrient consumption of fishermen, a three month training programme was conducted at Rameswaram for 30 fisher-women under the 'Training Rural Youth For Self Employment Scheme (TRYSEM)". This was conducted by the Centre For Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (CFWARD), a voluntary agency at Rameswaram in collaboration with CMFRl. The study was conducted aiming assessing the usefulness of the training in terms of knowledge gained, impressions of trciiness and constraints involved in the utilization of the knowledg

Adoption of oyster culture by women in Kerala

A study was conducted with the objective of examining the socia economic impact of the technology that was transferred to the women folk through variuos methodologies and to empower these women both socially and economically through the adoption of these technologies. Fisher folk in the coastal belts were identified from selected villages viz., Ayiralllthe/lgll (23), Dnlnvnpllral1l (24) and Azheeknl (23)and the technology of edible oyster culture was demonstrated. Data were collected from the women with the help of a structured interview schedule. Dahl were collected for a period of three months during the year 2002- 03. Percentage analysis was done to categorise them under different groups. The study indicated that group farming appears to be the ideal means for the propagation of oyster culture in this region. Serious constraint faced by these groups were identified and suitable remedial measures suggested to overcome the constraints