Effect of different orchard management practices on the growth and production of rejuvenated of pomegranates (Punica granatum L.) cv. Kandhari Kabuli

Orchard management practices are the most important cultural tools for successful and sustainable cultivation of any fruit crop including pomegranate. Orchard management systems have an effect on growth, yield and fruit quality through their smoothening effects on the availability of nutrients, conservation of moisture and reduction of weed competition. Orchard management practices treatments viz., five orchard floor management treatments viz., T1: Grass mulch (10 cm thick), T2: Black polythene mulch, T3: Clean basin + Herbicidal treatment (Glyphosate 7ml/ litre), T4: Ridge basin + Grass mulch and T5: Control (No mulching). The results of the experiment, black several that polythene mulch proved to be most effective in increasing plant growth (51.80 cm), yield (13.05 kg/plant) of superior fruits and also in conservation of soil moisture. Grass mulch was better when compared to other orchard floor man-agement practices in terms of growth (47.00 cm) and yield (12.35 kg). The orders of the orchard floor management practices in moisture conservation are: black polythene mulch 13.51 %> grass mulch 12.38 % > ridge basin + grass mulch 9.31% > clean basin + Herbicidal treatment (Glyphosate 7 ml/litre) 9.20 %> control 7.64 %. Orchard floor management treatments did not exert any significant effect in controlling bacterial blight disease on leaf and fruit surface

Mainstreaming Grassroots Adaptation and Building Climate Resilient Agriculture in Sri Lanka

Climate change in recent decades has become a major concern of the global community. The Inter- Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) established in 1988 by the United Nations has highlighted alarming trends in changes in global temperatures, shifts in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and the impact of these changes on the livelihoods of people, especially the poor. The changes will affect sub-Saharan Africa the greatest and also Asia with its very large population, most of whom are dependent on agriculture

Migration/mobility and vulnerability to HIV among male migrant workers: Maharashtra 2007-08

HIV prevalence in Maharashtra is one of the highest among Indian states. The specific objectives of this study were: to understand the patterns and drivers of migration/mobility of men who migrate for the purpose of work in the state of Maharashtra; to describe the characteristics of vulnerable subpopulations among migrant men; and to examine the determinants of high-risk sexual behavior among the subpopulations of migrant men with particular emphasis on the role of mobility in determining the sexual risk behavior. The present study clearly demonstrates that these male migrants, married or otherwise, retain strong connectivity to their native villages, but also show high levels of sexual activity—including significant levels of high-risk sexual activity—making it imperative to study the situation in the sending districts regarding HIV prevalence and spread. The indication from this study is clear: in the context of high-risk sexual behavior (among both married and unmarried migrants) and the low levels of knowledge, condom use, and risk perception, the chances of sending households and districts becoming areas of high HIV prevalence are great. Further exploration of the sexual behavior pattern in sending areas is necessary to obtain additional insights into the possible routes of HIV transmission

Vulnerability to Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies and Layers of Resilience : Climatic trends in Sri Lanka Agro-climatic Analysis, Research Report No. 15

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP), recognized the complimentarity of their objectives and the need to facilitate the implementation of the research project on natural resources management, entitled ‘’Vulnerability to Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies and Layers of Resilience’’ in seven Asian countries, including India, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand. Accordingly, they have been working together to implement the project in Sri Lanka. Farmers in the Asian countries need to adjust to climate that is changing and accordingly adapt with layers of resilience in their farming practices and investment decisions. Climate change is the most important global environmental challenge facing humanity today..

Migration/mobility and vulnerability to HIV among male migrant workers: Karnataka 2007-08

The present study was undertaken by the Population Council and the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust to study the patterns and factors driving migration among men and the extent to which they engage in high-risk activities associated with HIV. The specific objectives of the study were: to understand the patterns and factors driving the migration of men seeking work in the state of Karnataka; to describe the characteristics of vulnerable subpopulations among migrant men; and to examine the determinants of high-risk sexual behavior among the subpopulations of migrant men, with an emphasis on their mobility as one possible factor. Results suggest no relationship between degree of mobility and risky sexual behaviors among the migrants surveyed, and no systematic pattern of a relationship between condom use with the various types of sex partners and degree of mobility, indicating the need for HIV-prevention initiatives in their home areas as well as in their work destinations. Future research is needed to improve understanding of the behavior of men working in specific occupational groups in terms of their sexual networks and HIV-prevention needs

The role of urgent care centers in headache management: a quality improvement project

BACKGROUND: Patients with headache often seek urgent medical care to treat pain and associated symptoms that do not respond to therapeutic options at home. Urgent Cares (UCs) may be suitable for the evaluation and treatment of such patients but there is little data on how headache is evaluated in UC settings and what types of treatments are available. We conducted a study to evaluate the types of care available for patients with headache presenting to UCs. DESIGN: Cross-Sectional. METHODS: Headache specialists across the United States contacted UCs to collect data on a questionnaire. Questions asked about UC staffing (e.g. number and backgrounds of staff, hours of operation), average length of UC visits for headache, treatments and tests available for patients presenting with headache, and disposition including to the ED. RESULTS: Data from 10 UC programs comprised of 61 individual UC sites revealed: The vast majority (8/10; 80%) had diagnostic testing onsite for headache evaluation. A small majority (6/10; 60%) had the American Headache Society recommended intravenous medications for acute migraine available. Half (5/10) had a headache protocol in place. The majority (6/10; 60%) had no follow up policy after UC discharge. CONCLUSIONS: UCs have the potential to provide expedited care for patients presenting for evaluation and treatment of headache. However, considerable variability exists amongst UCs in their abilities to manage headaches. This study reveals many opportunities for future research including the development of protocols and professional partnerships to help guide the evaluation, triage, and treatment of patients with headache in UC settings

Vulnerability to Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies and Layers of Resilience Farmers’ Perceptions of Climate Change in Sri Lanka: Qualitative Analysis, Research Report No. 17

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is working together with the Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP), recognizing the complimentarity of their objectives and the need to facilitate the implementation of the research project on natural resources management, titled "Vulnerability to Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies and Layers of Resilience" in 7 Asian countries India, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand. Farmers in the Asian countries will need to adjust to climate that is changing and accordingly adapt with layers of resilience in their farming practices and investment decisions. Climate change is the most important global environmental challenge facing humanity today..

Patterns of migration/mobility and HIV risk among female sex workers: Maharashtra 2007-08

According to recent estimates, Maharashtra, India recorded high HIV prevalence among female sex workers, however there is a dearth of research documenting the migration patterns of sex workers and the linkages between their mobility and vulnerability to HIV. This Population Council study attempts to answer some of the questions on mobility and migration of female sex workers in Maharashtra as they relate to the HIV epidemic. Findings show an association between degree of mobility and the indicators of HIV risk such as consistent condom use with different types of partners, STI symptoms reported, sexual violence, and self-perception of risk for HIV. Targeting such a highly mobile population of female sex workers who appear to be vulnerable to HIV requires a comprehensive understanding of their places of solicitation and sex. Programs that want to ensure better coverage of their interventions should focus on five major places: brothels, railway/bus stations, dhabas, bars, and hotels/lodges

Vulnerability to Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies and Layers of Resilience- Farmers’ Perceptions of Climate Change in Sri Lanka, Quantitative Analysis. Research Report No. 18

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP), recognized the complimentarity of their objectives and the need to facilitate the implementation of the research project on natural resources management, entitled ‘’Vulnerability to Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies and Layers of Resilience’’ in seven Asian countries, including India, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand. Accordingly, they have been working together to implement the project in Sri Lanka. Climate change is the most important global environmental challenge facing humanity today. Farmers in the Asian countries need to adjust to climate that is changing and accordingly adapt with layers of resilience in their farming practices and investment decisions..

Patterns of migration/mobility and HIV risk among female sex workers: Tamil Nadu 2007-08

In past years, considerable research has been undertaken on the role of female sex workers (FSWs) in the transmission of HIV infection. FSWs have been seen as a major “source” of infection, and consequently, have been extensively targeted to prevent its spread. There is, however, a gap in our understanding of the dynamics of sex work, sex workers\u27 patterns of mobility, and the relationship of such mobility with risk of HIV infection and gender-based violence. The Population Council collaborated with its local partner, TNS, to carry out a study in Tamil Nadu to examine the patterns of mobility of FSWs and to study its links with HIV risk. The goal was to provide research-based evidence to inform the formulation of policies and to improve the implementation of programs. Results presented here describe the patterns and drivers of sex workers\u27 migration at their destination points, intermediate points, and points of origin, and their connection to high-risk activities in Tamil Nadu