Hidden Isometry in a Chiral Gauged WZW Model

It is shown that the asymmetric chiral gauging of the WZW models give rise to consistent string backgrounds. The target space structure of the ${[{SL(2,\Re)/ {SO(1,1)}}]}_L \bigotimes {[{SL(2,\Re)/U(1)}]}_R$ model is analyzed and the presence of a hidden isometry in this background is demonstrated. A nonlinear coordinate transformation is obtained which transforms the asymmetric model to the symmetric one, analyzed recently by two of the present authors.Comment: 11 pages, IP/BBSR/92-67, IISC/CTS/92-

Impact of MGNREGA on Reducing Rural Poverty and Improving Socio-economic Status of Rural Poor: A Study in Burdwan District of West Bengal

The present study conducted in the Burdwan district of West Bengal, has examined the socio-economic impact of MGNREGA on the rural poor who are mainly comprised of small and marginal farmers & agricultural labourers. The study is based on a random sample of 102 respondents (82 beneficiary and 20 non-beneficiary households) drawn by the PPS method from two good-performing and two poorly-performing Gram Panchayats randomly selected from one randomly selected good-performing block in the district. It has been found that significant changes have taken place in the socio-economic variables like annual per capita income, monthly per capita food expenditure, annual per child expenditure on education, per capita savings, condition of the dwelling houses, access to healthcare facility and possession of other assets or luxury items for those households which are regularly working in the scheme. According to the value of the socio-economic index prepared, it has been found that in the initial year of implementation (2007-08) of MGNREGA in the study area, 43.9 per cent beneficiary households were in poor socio-economic conditions which have gradually improved in the succeeding years and decreased to 32.9 per cent in 2008-09 and further to 18.3 per cent in 2009-10. The study has made some suggestions also for incorporating improvements in the present MGNREG scheme based on the constraints reported by the workers associated with this Scheme.Impact of MGNREGA, Socio-economic conditions, Poverty reduction, MGNREGA constraints, Agricultural and Food Policy, I15, I38, J31, J33,

Community Nutrition Environments: People's perceptions of the grocery store environment in the eastern neighborhoods of Pittsburgh

Multiple studies have shown that African Americans have less access than do Whites tohealthy food in many cities in the US. Less is known, however, about how African Americansperceive their neighborhood nutrition environment, and how this affects their diet. Westudied people's perceptions of their access to healthy food in majority-African Americanneighborhoods in and around the city of Pittsburgh using a mixed methods approach. Supermarket addresses were geocoded using ArcGIS and the location of supermarkets with respectto majority-African American census tracts was determined. A convenience sample of 236people completed a self-administered survey, and two focus groups (n=14) were conducted.Results demonstrate that whereas some Black neighborhoods are proximal to supermarkets,others are two miles or more away. People's perceptions of the quality of food and serviceavailable to them are strongly determined by the identity of the store at which they shop.Satisfaction with the quality of food available in the primary grocery store is positively correlated with self-efficacy (confidence in their ability) to find healthy food; it is correlated with self-efficacy to afford healthy food in high-income, but not in low-income respondents. Focus group data suggest that while African Americans perceive that the quality of food and service in supermarkets serving the Black community are worse than at branches of the same chain that serve white neighborhoods, they continue to frequent these "Black Identified" supermarkets because of loyalty to Black ownership of some stores, a perceived fear that failure to support stores in their neighborhoods may result in closure, as well as because of the easy access to "Jitneys" (unofficial taxis), which make regular trips to these supermarkets. Weconclude that access to grocery stores that afford a high level of satisfaction with the quality and selection of produce is a predictor of self-efficacy to engage in a healthy diet. Every effort must be made to ensure that stores that cater to African Americans address the perceptions and needs of their clients and provide an environment that enables healthy eating: this will help prevent chronic disease, an objective of huge public health significance

Investing in Native Communities: Philanthropic Funding for Native American Communities and Causes

From 2002 to 2016, large U.S. foundations gave, on average, 0.4 percent of total annual funding to Native American communities and causes, although the Alaska Native and American Indian population represents 2 percent of the total U.S. population. This report provides the latest data on foundation funding for Native Americans, alongside important historical context that has contributed to the unique experiences and challenges Native Americans face today. The report also consolidates advice and feedback from philanthropic and Native leaders, who reflect on successful work and practices in partnering with Native organizations and communities

Measuring the State of Disaster Philanthropy 2020: Data to Drive Decisions

Each year, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Candid analyze global disaster-related funding from foundations, bilateral and multilateral donors, U.S. government agencies, corporations, and donations through donor-advised funds and online platforms. We analyze this funding according to a taxonomy that classifies giving by type of disaster and disaster assistance strategy. Philanthropic funding for disasters and humanitarian crises is situated within a large ecosystem of global aid. While assistance from governments far surpasses funding from foundations, institutional philanthropy still plays an important role. For example, foundations can choose to fill funding gaps and support underfunded areas of the disaster life cycle. Support for disaster risk reduction and preparedness can mitigate the impact of disasters, and many communities need sustained funding for the long road to recovery. We hope this analysis will aid donors in considering how to maximize the impact of their disaster-related giving.

Comparison of cerebrospinal fluid Cytochrome-c and Caspase-9 as biomarkers for newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy with non-asphyxiated babies and followup of these biomarkers after day 7

Background: There are very less previous study for cytochrome–c and caspase-9, the key players in apoptotic cell death, in human newborns. The objective was to measure the level of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers cytochrome –c and caspase -9 in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and comparison with clinically suspected sepsis controls and to compare these after 7 days. Methods: We compared 50 hypoxic babies with 20 newborns with clinically suspected sepsis at median age of day-3 and 9 in cases and day-1 in controls. Results: In the present study in sample-1 we observed a significant increase in the levels of cases cytochrome c (1.46 ± 0.71 ng⁄mL) and caspase- 9 (0.29 ± 0.27 ng⁄mL) when compared to controls cytochrome-c (1.02+0.27 ng⁄mL) and caspase -9 (0.13+0.16 ng⁄mL) with significant p-value of 0.001 and 0.009 respectively. In sample -1 Cytochrome-c, P- value was significant when compared stage –III (1.74 ± 0.68) with stage-I (0.82 ± 0.43) and stage –II (0.99 ± 0.18). Similarly in Caspas-9 P-value was significant when compared between stage-III (0.38 ± 0.30) with stage-I (0.11 ± 0.07). In sample -2 P- value was significant when compared stage –III (1.68 ± 0.50) with stage-I (1.01 ± 0.14) and stage –II (0.94 ± 0.38). Similarly in Caspas-9 P-value was significant when compared between stage-III (4.84 ± 2.44) with stage-I (0.13 ± 0.10) and stage –II (0.13 ± 0.11). Conclusions: First time done in human newborns with asphyxia, showing that CSF Cytochrome- c and Caspase 9 increases significantly. In sample-2, the caspase 9 levels showed a further increase, whereas cytochrome c levels decreased from the sample 1 value indicating that neuroprotection time should be increased.

Philanthropy and COVID-19: Examining two years of giving

Candid and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) released a new report, Philanthropy and COVID-19: Examining giving in 2021, that details COVID-19-related philanthropic funding in 2021. Candid and CDP's third assessment of COVID-19 philanthropic data emphasizes that it will take decades for many communities to recover from the compounding effects of the pandemic. It highlights the role funders will play in long-term recovery from the pandemic, and CDP provides actionable steps funders can take to invigorate their COVID-19 giving strategy

Apert syndrome (Acrocephalosyndactyly): a case report

Apert syndrome is named for the French physician. Eugene Apert in 1906 described the syndrome acrocephalosyndactylia. It is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by craniosynostosis, craniofacial anomalies, and severe symmetrical syndactyly of the hands and feet (i.e. cutaneous and bony fusion refers to webbing of fingers and toes). Apert syndrome is characterized by the premature fusion of certain skull bones (craniosynostosis). This early fusion prevents the skull from growing normally and affects the shape of the head and face. In addition, a varied number of fingers and toes are fused together (syndactyly). Most cases of Apert syndrome are sporadic, may result from new mutations in the gene. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of Apert syndrome in a female fetus of 30 weeks with asymmetrical skull confirmed by prenatal ultrasonography. Pregnancy was terminated and fetus was submitted for detailed autopsy in anatomy dissection hall. The findings and review of literature were presented in this article

Stress and infertility: a review

Most of the couples suffering from infertility report it to be the most stressful and depressing period of their life. Stress can be a contributor to infertility and can adversely affect the treatment success, Recent scientific evidence suggest that psychological therapy, especially mind body therapy to counter stress can significantly improve pregnancy rates in women undergoing ART. Yoga is an ideal mind body therapy that is indigenous and one that can be effectively applied in the Indian scenario to optimize the psychological milieu of the sub fertile undergoing treatment. Infertility and ART from well-structured government run IVF centres can greatly reduce the financial burden of the infertile couple and further reduce their stress levels. Thus stress reducing strategies and low cost infertility treatment facility offer to be the ideal combination to fulfill the dreams of parenthood for the suffering sub fertile couples in India