Structural adjustment and forest resources - the impact of World Bank operations

Over two decades, the World Bank has undertaken many structural adjustment operations withgovernments of developing countries. During negotiations for structural adjustment loans (SALs), partner governments agree to specific policy reforms, whose implementation becomes a condition for disbursement of SAL funds. Conditionality varies with local circumstances, but generally supports privatization of state enterprises, liberalization of the domestic economy, and openness in international trade. Structural adjustment operations have often been controversial because they are explicitly political. Opposition, or support reflects ideological perspectives, perceptions of who gains, and who loses economically from a SAL, or beliefs about its environmental, and social impacts. Environmental groups express particular concern about SALs'impacts on the rate of deforestation. Debate about adjustment, and deforestation has been fueled largely by anecdotes, and a few country cases bases on limited time-series data. The authors broaden the analysis by combining a complete record of Bank SAL operations, with a 38-year socioeconomic database for 112 developing countries. They find that adjustment has greatly affected imports, exports, consumption, and production in many forest products sectors (such as fuel-wood, sawn-wood, panels, pulp, and paper). Some activities have increased, and some declined, but overall, the effects have balanced each other. The net impact on domestic round-wood production, the authors'proxy for forest exploitation, has been almost exactly zero. Their results suggest that growth in round-wood production is explained well by population growth, urbanization, and world demand for forest products. Their findings suggest that adjustment has not promoted domestic deforestation, but it has increased net imports of wood products, implying some displacement of pressure onto other countries'forest resources. They also find that devaluations have significantly increased the exploitation of forest resources.Environmental Economics&Policies,Labor Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Silviculture,Consumption,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Silviculture,Forestry,Consumption

Pregnancy with Eisenmenger Syndrome: A Challenge to Obstetrician

Eisenmenger syndrome is defined as the development of pulmonary hypertension in response to a left-to-right cardiac shunt with consequent bidirectional or reversal (right-to-left) of shunt flow. Maternal mortality in the presence of Eisenmenger syndrome is reported to be 30-50%. If the patient continues her pregnancy against advice, a well-coordinated multidisciplinary team approach is advocated. Here, we report a case of pregnancy with Eisenmenger syndrome and its successful outcome

“Free radical induced oxidative stress” (frios) parameters: key to reduce feto-maternal mortality in high risk pregnancies

Background: ROS plays role during pregnancy and normal parturition and in recurrent pregnancy loss, initiation of preterm labor, anaemia, preeclampsia, eclampsia, Intrauterine growth retardation. Elevated oxidative stress is found in term infants with fetal distress and in preterm infants. With this background this study was conducted to evaluate the role of FRIOS (free radical induced oxidative stress) in reducing feto -maternal mortality in high risk pregnancies in District Kanpur.Methods: This prospective study was conducted on pregnant women at high risk attending department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur after taking permission from the institutional ethical committee. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. Investigations were carried out to measure oxidant level of Malonaldialdehyde (MDA) enzyme & to measure anti oxidant Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) enzyme. Levels of these enzymes were compared between normal & each high risk sub groups separately. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis and suitable tests were applied.Results: The mean value in study group was highest in severely anaemic patients (8.53±1.398 Nmoles/ml of plasma) followed by pre eclamptic & eclamptic patients (8.33±1.355 Nmoles/ml of plasma). The mean levels of in study group was lowest in pre eclamptic & eclamptic patients (0.394±.191 u/mg of protein) followed by pre term patients (0.413±0.141 u/mg of protein). Significant difference between MDA enzyme levels in control group and all sub groups of study group was found.Conclusions: Measurement of Malonaldialdehyde (MDA) & Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) enzymes at an earlier stage can be a valuable tool for early diagnosis, so that we can timely intervene & improve the maternal outcome

Phytosociological studies of grasslands in the vicinity of pataratu thermal power, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand

The study was conducted to assess the phytosociological studies of grasslands of Pataratu, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. The total number of grassland species was recorded to be 17, 12 and 8 on control and 40, 27 and 19 on polluted grasslands in rainy, winter and summer seasons, respectively. Thero-hemicryptophytic life-forms was comparatively higher on both grasslands. Therophyte was higher on both grasslands than other life-forms classes.  The importance value index of Heteropogon contortus was recorded to be maximum as compared to other grasslands species present on both types of grasslands in rainy, winter and summer seasons

Carbon Allotrope Graphene: Superstar In Nano- World

Graphene is a substance made of pure carbon, with atoms arranged in a regular hexagonal pattern similar to graphite, but in a one-atom thick sheet. It is an allotrope of carbon whose structure is a single planar sheet of sp 2 -bonded carbon atoms that are densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice. Hence, graphene may be considered as the mother of graphite, fullerene and carbon nanotubes. Graphene can also be considered as the final member of the series of fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as naphthalene, anthracene and coronene It has many exceptional features which make it a superstar in the world of nanotechnology as thinnest material, practically transparent (3,000,000 sheets equal to 1mm), stiffest, strongest (Youngs modulus >0.51 TPa, tensile strength ~130 Gpa) largest surface-to-weight ratio (~2,700 m2/gram) very stretchable (stretch up to 20%), conducts heat and electricity better than any metal, impermeable to gases, large specific surface area, non-toxic, low cost and drug can attach on both sides of its sheet. Graphene can be successfully used as a non-toxic nano carrier for efficient gene transfection, a novel gene delivery, nano- vector with low cytotoxicity and high transfection efficiency, which is promising for future applications in non-viral-based gene therapy. Experimental studies have demonstrated that the shape of carbonaceous nanomaterials plays an extremely important role in how they interact with cells and potentially other biological systems, such as tissues and organisms. The cytotoxicity of graphene depends on the exposure environment and mode of interaction with cells as bacteria came directly contact with graphene, intensive physical interactions between graphene and bacterial cells may cause physical damages on cell membranes, and result in the release of intracellular contents and cytotoxicity and genotoxicity occur

Indoor air quality for poor families: new evidence from Bangladesh

Indoor air pollution (IAP) from cooking and heating is estimated to kill a million children annually in developing countries. To promote a better understanding of IAP, the authors investigate the determinants of IAP in Bangladesh using the latest air monitoring technology and a national household survey. The study concludes that IAP is dangerously high for many poor families in Bangladesh. Concentrations of respirable airborne particulates(PM10) 300 ug/m3 or greater are common in the sample, implying widespread exposure to a serious health hazard. Poor households in Bangladesh depend heavily on wood, dung, and other biomass fuels. The econometric results indicate that fuel choice significantly affects indoor pollution levels: Natural gas and kerosene are significantly cleaner than biomass fuels. However, household-specific factors apparently matter more than fuel choice in determining PM10 concentrations. In some biomass-burning households, concentrations are scarcely higher than in households that use natural gas. The results suggest that cross-household variation is strongly affected by structural arrangements-cooking locations, construction materials, and ventilation practices. The authors'analysis also suggests that poor families may not have to wait for clean fuels or clean stoves to enjoy significantly cleaner air. Within their sample household population, some arrangements are already producing relatively clean conditions, even when"dirty"biomass fuels are used. Since these arrangements are already within the means of poor families, the scope for cost-effective improvements may be larger than is commonly believed.Sanitation and Sewerage,Public Health Promotion,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Montreal Protocol,Construction Industry,Montreal Protocol,Transport and Environment,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,TF030632-DANISH CTF - FY05 (DAC PART COUNTRIES GNP PER CAPITA BELOW USD 2,500/AL,Sanitation and Sewerage

Who suffers from indoor air pollution? evidence from Bangladesh

In this paper the authors investigate individuals'exposure to indoor air pollution. Using new survey data from Bangladesh, they analyze exposure at two levels-differences within households attributable to family roles, and differences across households attributable to income and education. Within households, they relate individuals'exposure to pollution in different locations during their daily round of activity. The authors find high levels of exposure for children and adolescents of both sexes, with particularly serious exposure for children under 5. Among prime-age adults, they find that men have half the exposure of women (whose exposure is similar to that of children and adolescents). They also find that elderly men have significantly lower exposure than elderly women. Across households, they draw on results from their previous paper (Dasgupta et al, 2004), which relate pollution variation across households to choices of cooking fuel, cooking locations, construction materials, and ventilation practices. They find that these choices are significantly affected by family income and adult education levels (particularly for women). Overall, the authors find that the poorest, least-educated households have twice the pollution levels of relatively high-income households with highly-educated adults. For children in a typical household, pollutionexposure can be halved by adopting two simple measures-increasing their outdoor time from 3 to 5 or 6 hours a day, and concentrating outdoor time during peak cooking periods. The authors recognize that weather and other factors may intervene occasionally, and that child supervision outdoors may be difficult for some households. However, the potential benefits are so great that neighbors might well agree to pool outdoor supervision once they became aware of the implications for their children's health.Environmental Economics&Policies,Public Health Promotion,Population&Development,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Water and Industry,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Water and Industry,Environmental Economics&Policies,Population&Development,TF030632-DANISH CTF - FY05 (DAC PART COUNTRIES GNP PER CAPITA BELOW USD 2,500/AL

A comparison of pain on intravenous injection to two formulations of Propofol, one containing medium chain and long chain triglycerides and the other without medium chain and long chain triglycerides

Background: To assess and compare the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain on intravenous injection in patients receiving the two different formulations of Propofol.Methods: Total 170 eligible patients were randomized into Group A receiving Propofol MCT/LCT and Group B receiving Propofol LCT. After standard pre-anaesthetic preparation and baseline values recording, the blinded investigator recorded pain intensity after injection of 1mL study drug propofol, using Visual Analog Scale (0-10). Haemodynamic parameters were recorded every minute for 5 minutes. Calculated Propofol dose was injected in 20 seconds, and signs of pain (hand withdrawal, grimacing) were noted. After patient regained full consciousness, recall of injection pain was asked for.Results: The proportion of patients who experienced pain was similar in both groups (group A: 76/85 =89.41%, group B: 81/85 = 95.29%; statistically not significant (p value=0.247). Patients in group A had longer time for pain onset (11.3 seconds-group A Vs 9.8 seconds-group B; statistically significant, p value =0.008). Pain on injection was higher in Propofol LCT group as compared to Propofol MCT/LCT (VAS scores of group A=3.94±2.0 vs group B = 5.49±1.96; statistically significant; p value = 0.0018). Full dose of Propofol MCT/LCT produced significantly less pain when compared to Propofol LCT (p value = 0.0424). Recall of pain was comparable between the groups. Haemodynamic parameters (Heart rate and Mean Arterial Pressure) remained comparable in both groups.Conclusions: Pain on injection was higher and statistically significant in Propofol LCT group as compared to Propofol MCT/LCT

Factors determining successful intrauterine insemination

Background: Infertility is defined as failure to conceive even after one year of regular, frequent and unprotected intercourse. Infertility can be attributed to male causes in approximately 25-40% cases, female causes in 40-50% cases, both in 10-20% and unexplained causes in 10-15% cases. Artificial insemination (Intrauterine Insemination) involves placement of processed sperms from husband (AIH – artificial insemination homologous) or from donor (AID – artificial insemination donor) into the female genital tract.Methods: Objectives of the study were to do sperm preparation to obtain normal good quality motile sperms, to perform intrauterine insemination using husband semen around the time of ovulation, to study factors responsible for successful pregnancy rates by this method. Out of 100 infertile females recruited for the study 34 underwent artificial insemination by IUI with controlled ovarian hyper stimulation. Sperms were washed by density gradient centrifugation or by a direct swim-up technique that does not involve centrifugation.Results: Overall pregnancy rate per patient for male factor infertility was 23.52%. None of the patients consented for more than three cycles of IUI. Maximum pregnancy was achieved in third cycle of IUI. Sperm motility >40% was related with pregnancy in 8 cases. Duration of infertility didn’t influence pregnancy rate. The majority of pregnancies were achieved in the age group of 25-29 years (50%). No pregnancy occurred with >15 years of infertility.Conclusions: This study concluded that intrauterine insemination after ovarian stimulation or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is a successful and efficacious therapy for infertility

Pregnancy with uterine prolapse: Duhrssen’s incision still valid in today’s scenario?

Background: To study uterine prolapse during pregnancy and its effect on perinatal outcome; importance of Duhrssen incision in aiding vaginal delivery in prolapse.Methods:A retrospective study conducted by reviewing 49 antenatal women with uterine prolapse admitted in the labour room of Department of Obs. & Gynae at G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur over a period of 3 years (2010-13).Results: 17(35.4%) women were booked. 25% of booked antenatal women presenting to our hospital with preterm labour pains managed conservatively. Incidence of preterm labour and delivery, application of Duhrssen’s incision in aiding vaginal delivery and h/o difficult delivery was statistically significant in unbooked women.Conclusion: Preterm labour associated with prolapse led to significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. Management of uterine prolapse during labour is individualized depending on the severity of prolapse, gestational age, parity and women’s preference