CDM afforestation and reforestation baseline methodologies: An analysis of the submission and approval process

Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R), also widely termed LULUCF have been an important field of conflict in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. The first methodology for A/R projects has been submitted only by October 2004 and the first project was registered only in November 2006, two years after the first project in the energy sector. Like energy efficiency and transportation methodologies, A/R methodologies also suffer high rejection rate. 20 A/R CDM methodologies evaluated by the CDM Executive Board have been analyzed in this paper with respect to their approval history. On an average it took 4-5 months for approval of A/R methodologies in contrast to the long approval time taken in case of other methodologies (9-10 months). Most methodologies has been rejected because of not properly defining land eligibility, incomplete baseline scenario selection, lack of methods to prove additionality and insufficient treatment of uncertainties. --

Evaluation of pyracantha crenulata roem for antiurolithogenic activity in albino rats

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of juice extract and alcohol extract of fruit of Pyracantha crenulata (D.Don) Roem  (Rosaceae) against ethylene glycolinduced urolithiasis in male albino rats. Patients and Methods: Lithiasis was induced in rats by administering 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking water for 28 days and was manifested by hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium, phosphate and a low urinary magnesium content. Curative and preventive treatment was then tried by supplementation with juice and alcohol extracts (250 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) of P. crenulata fruit. Results: The increased deposition of stone forming constituents in the kidneys of calculogenic rats was significantly lowered by curative and preventive treatment using juice and alcohol extracts (250 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) of P. crenulata fruit which showed a regulatory action on endogenous oxalate synthesis.Conclusion: From this study, we conclude that both prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with juice and alcohol extract of fruit of P. crenulata may reduce precipitation of calcium oxalate, with improvement of kidney function as well as cytoprotective effectKeywords : Ethylene glycol, hyperoxaluria, nephrolithiasis, Pyracantha crenulat

Structured teaching programme on knowledge about polycystic ovarian syndrome among adolescent girls

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common female endocrine disorder affecting 4 – 18% of women in their reproductive age. It is common in adolescent girls. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects throughout the life and produce gynaecological and metabolic health problems. The aim of this study to create the awareness about the polycystic ovarian syndrome to the adolescent girls.Methods: A Quantitative approach with pre- experimental design was used to study the effectiveness of STP on Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. Ninety-four adolescent girls aged between 15 – 18 years were conveniently selected. Data was collected by using Structured Knowledge questionnaire.Results: The mean post-test knowledge score (22.55± 3.57) was higher than that of mean pre-test mean knowledge score (11.13± 3.32) and the mean difference was11.42. The ‘t’ calculated value was 23.45 which is higher than the tabulated value of 1.98 (df 93 at p< 0.05). Therefore, research hypothesis was accepted. So, it can be interpreting that structured teaching programme is effective in improving the knowledge of adolescent girls.Conclusions: The findings of the study revealed that STP was effective in enhancing the knowledge of adolescent girls on PCOS. Hence the study concluded that structured teaching programme had a great potentiality to increase the awareness on PCOS