Showing papers by "Japan International Cooperation Agency published in 2011"

Decline in heavy metal contamination in marine sediments in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia due to increasing environmental regulations

Abstract: The 210 Pb geochronology, heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, and Pb), and stable Pb isotope ratios ( 206 Pb/ 207 Pb) of three sediment cores collected from Jakarta Bay were analyzed to decipher the history of heavy metal contamination in the period 1900–2006. The chemical and isotopic analyses clearly suggest that anthropogenic metal accumulation in the sediments began in the 1920s and increased greatly from the 1970s until the end of the 1990s. From the end of the 1990s to 2006, accumulation rates were constant or decreased for Zn and Pb near the coastal industrialized area. Comparison of economic data and sociological information suggests that the decline in the concentrations of heavy metals could be attributed to the stricter environmental regulations which were enforced at the end of 1990s. However, metal contamination is currently still an important cause of concern in dealing with environmental preservation and protection in Jakarta Bay.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Nutritional Status of Children in Lao PDR: Effects of Household and Community Factors

Abstract: The prevalence of undernutrition among Lao children is among the highest in the region. However, the determinants of childhood undernutrition in Laos have not been fully analyzed. This paper, using the dataset of the Lao Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 3, which is a nationally-representative sample in Laos, investigated the effects of socioeconomic factors at both household and community levels on the nutritional status of children. In the estimation, a multilevel linear model with random-intercepts was used for estimating the determinants of child anthropometric indices. The empirical results revealed that children from households in southern Laos and from ethnic minority groups were less-nourished. Level of education of parents, attitudes of mothers towards domestic violence, assets of household, local health services, and the condition of sanitation and water were considered to be important determinants of nutritional status of children. The pattern of growth-faltering in children by age was identified. Children aged 12-59 months were less-nourished than those aged 0-11 months. The empirical results were consistent with the collective household model which incorporates a decision-making process within the household. Since there is scarce evidence about the predictors of childhood undernutrition in Laos, the findings of this study will serve as a benchmark for future research.

Applying hydraulic lift in an agroecosystem: forage plants with shoots removed supply water to neighboring vegetable crops

Abstract: When a plant encounters spatially heterogeneous soil moisture within its root system, usually drier surface and moister subsurface soils, water can move between these layers through the root system, a plant process known as hydraulic lift or redistribution. The water thus transferred is available not only for the plant itself but also for its neighbors. We examined application of this process as a possible biological irrigation tool. As ‘donors’, we used perennial forage plants with their shoots removed to minimize the effect of light-interception by them on the ‘receiver’ plants growing alongside them. In a horizontally split-root experiment, where an upper container was filled with sand and a lower one with water, superior donor species could maintain the upper sand in a fully hydrated condition for several weeks, increasing stomatal conductance in the receivers. The effects were also confirmed in a water-limited agricultural field, as significant differences were found in canopy temperature and yield in neighboring crop plants in the presence or absence of donor root systems. These results suggest that deep-rooting associate plants with their shoots removed function as an irrigation tool and improve crop production in water-scarce environments.

Long-Term Urbanization and Land Subsidence in Asian Megacities: An Indicators System Approach

Abstract: Many of the lessons concerning urban environmental problems are well documented and practiced in international environmental cooperation projects. However, most urban environmental issues analyzed in the past have concentrated exclusively on air pollution, surface water pollution and waste management in cities. With this in mind, we focus on uncovered subsurface environmental issues in cities, which is an emerging problem in developing countries in Asia. As a first step, we collected existing knowledge and information from the literature and synthesized it into a Driving Forces-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework (Jago-on et al. Sci Total Environ 407:3089–3104, 2009). Building on our previous work, the current analysis attempts to develop a stage model concerning the long-term relationships between urban development and the emerging subsurface environmental problem of land subsidence and to compare the differences and commonalities across Asian developing countries. With the help of the DPSIR framework, we select and quantify the relevant indicators for each component of the requisite framework. The results indicate that Taipei has successfully utilized its latecomer advantage and that Bangkok has benefited from its natural capacity for groundwater storage. In addition, we find that Jakarta and Manila lag behind the other cities in terms of both the recognition of the issue and the introduction of regulation to combat the problem.

Why invest in minor projects in sub-Saharan Africa? An exploration of the scale economy and diseconomy of irrigation projects

Abstract: It is well-known that major irrigation projects have a strong scale economy, handicapping irrigation development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) because of the difficulty in formulating large-scale projects. Using project-level investment cost and performance data of major and minor irrigation projects, this paper examines the causes of the economy of scale phenomenon. We find that strong scale economy exists not only for major but also for minor projects, i.e., small- and micro-scale, projects. This is largely because of the existence of indivisible overhead costs such as high-opportunity-cost human resources for planning, designing and engineering management and supervision. We also find that large differences between major and minor projects in the absolute level of overhead as well as construction costs creates a strong scale diseconomy and results in better performance of minor projects. The advantage of minor projects holds even when their higher risk associated with the water source is taken into consideration. We argue that there is an urgent need to promote irrigation development in SSA through developing minor projects, and to reduce the heavy burden of overhead costs by developing the capacity of human resources at the national, local and farmer levels in the fields of irrigation engineering, irrigation agronomy, institutional development, and micro water management technologies.

Achieving MDG 4 in Sub-Saharan Africa: What Has Contributed to the Accelerated Child Mortality Decline in Ghana?

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Recent analyses have suggested an accelerated decline in child mortality in Ghana since 2000. This study examines the long-term child mortality trends in the country relates them to changes in the key drivers of mortality decline and assesses the feasibility of the countrys MDG 4 attainment. METHODOLOGY: Data from five Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) between 1988 and 2008 and the Maternal Health Survey 2007 were used to generate two-year estimates of under-five mortality rates back to 1967. Lowess regression fitted past and future trends towards 2015. A modified Poisson approach was applied on the person-period data created from the DHS 2003 and 2008 to examine determinants of under-five mortality and their contributions to the change in mortality. A policy-modelling system assessed the feasibility of the countrys MDG 4 attainment. FINDINGS: The under-five mortality rate has steadily declined over the past 40 years with acceleration since 2000 and is projected to reach between 45 and 69 per 1000 live births in 2015. Preceding birth interval (reference: 36+ months relative risk [RR] increased as the interval shortened) bed net use (RR 0.71 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52-0.95) maternal education (reference: secondary/higher RR 1.71 95% CI: 1.18-2.47 for primary) and maternal age at birth (reference: 17+ years RR 2.13 95% CI: 1.12-4.05) were primarily associated with under-five mortality. Increased bed-net use made a substantial contribution to the mortality decline. The scale-up of key interventions will allow the possibility of Ghanas MDG 4 attainment. CONCLUSIONS: National and global efforts for scaling up key child survival interventions in Ghana are paying off--these concerted efforts need to be sustained in order to achieve MDG 4.

Marital abuse and psychological well-being among women in the southern region of Jordan.

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between marital abuse and psychological well-being among women in the southern region of Jordan. Design: A descriptive correlation...

Measuring impacts of e-government support in least developed countries: a case study of the vehicle registration service in Bhutan

Abstract: e-Government initiatives are increasingly mainstreamed in the development agenda, as means through which developing countries can achieve development objectives faster and, as experience from the developed world suggests, for less cost. However, little research has been carried out on the impact of such initiatives in the developing world, especially the least developed countries, and little attention has been placed on cost aspects. This research studies one such initiative, the computerization of vehicle registration, in one such country, Bhutan. After assessing impact on both efficiency and governance, it finds that improvements in governance and quality aspects greatly outweigh cost-aspects. Using activity-based costing method for internal costs, and assessing quality aspects through staff interviews and customer surveys, significant improvements were found in lead time and adherence to rules felt by citizen users. However, little benefit was found in terms of cost reduction.

Leishmania species identification using FTA card sampling directly from patients' cutaneous lesions in the state of Lara, Venezuela

Abstract: A molecular epidemiological study was performed using FTA card materials directly sampled from lesions of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the state of Lara, Venezuela, where causative agents have been identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and L. (Leishmania) venezuelensis in previous studies. Of the 17 patients diagnosed with CL, Leishmania spp. were successfully identified in 16 patients based on analysis of the cytochrome b gene and rRNA internal transcribed spacer sequences. Consistent with previous findings, seven of the patients were infected with L. (V.) braziliensis. However, parasites from the other nine patients were genetically identified as L. (L.) mexicana, which differed from results of previous enzymatic and antigenic analyses. These results strongly suggest that L. (L.) venezuelensis is a variant of L. (L.) mexicana and that the classification of L. (L.) venezuelensis should be reconsidered.

Gluconobacter nephelii sp. nov., an acetic acid bacterium in the class Alphaproteobacteria.

Abstract: Three strains, RBY-1T, PHD-1 and PHD-2, were isolated from fruits in Thailand. The strains were Gram-negative, aerobic rods with polar flagella, produced acetic acid from ethanol and did not oxidize acetate or lactate. In phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and 16S–23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, the strains formed a cluster separate from the type strains of recognized species of the genus Gluconobacter. The calculated 16S rRNA gene sequence and 16S–23S rRNA gene ITS sequence similarities were respectively 97.7–99.7 % and 77.3–98.1 %. DNA G+C contents ranged from 57.2 to 57.6 mol%. The strains showed high DNA–DNA relatedness of 100 % to one another, but low DNA–DNA relatedness of 11–34 % to the tested type strains of recognized Gluconobacter species. Q-10 was the major quinone. On the basis of the genotypic and phenotypic data obtained, the three strains clearly represent a novel species, for which the name Gluconobacter nephelii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RBY-1T ( = BCC 36733T = NBRC 106061T = PCU 318T), whose DNA G+C content is 57.2 mol%.

Mobile Phone Coverage and Market Participation: The Case of Banana Marketing in Uganda

Abstract: Increased information flow due to mobile phone network expansions is expected to reduce marketing costs of agricultural commodities. We investigate this using panel data of 856 Ugandan households in 94 communities, where the number of communities covered by mobile phone networks increased from 41 to 87 between surveys in 2003 and 2005, respectively. After the expansion of coverage, we find increased sales of banana in remote communities but not of maize. The mobile phone coverage expansion seems to induce the market participation of farmers in remote areas who produce perishable crops.

Identification of Acetobacter strains from Thai fermented rice products based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer restriction analyses.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fermented rice flour (khao-khab, a non-glutinous rice) and related products are Thai traditional products. The types of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) microflora in khao-khab have not been reported. In this study, Acetobacter strains were isolated and identified based on the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and molecular aspects. RESULTS: Twenty-five acetic acid bacteria isolated from fermented rice products and a starter for sweetened rice in Thailand by an enrichment culture approach, were assigned to the genus Acetobacter by phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterisations. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence and 16S–23S rRNA gene ITS restriction analyses, 25 isolates were divided into six groups and identified at the specific level: (1) Group 1 included five isolates, which were identified as A. indonesiensis; (2) Group 2 included two isolates, which were identified as A. lovaniensis; (3) Group 3 included one isolate, which was identified as A. orientalis; (4) Group 4 included eleven isolates, which were identified as A. pasteurianus; (5) Group 5 included three isolates, which were identified as A. syzygii and (6) Group 6 included three isolates, which were unidentified and considered to constitute a new species. CONCLUSION: Results revealed that various Acetobacter species were distributed in Thai fermented rice flour and related products. A novel Acetobacter species was isolated from the product. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

An evaluation of a refresher training intervention for HIV lay counsellors in Chongwe District, Zambia

Abstract: To address a severe shortage of human resources for health, the Zambian Ministry of Health has begun to make use of lay counsellors for HIV counselling and testing. However, their skills and knowledge rarely have been reviewed or refreshed. We conducted a two-day refresher workshop for lay counsellors to review their performance and refresh their skills and knowledge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the refresher training intervention for HIV lay counsellors in the rural district of Chongwe in Zambia. The two-day refreshertraining workshop was held in November 2009. Twenty-five lay counsellors were selected by District Health Office and participated in the workshop. The workshop included: the opening, a pre-training exercise, lectures on quality assurance with regard to testing and safety precautions, lectures on counselling, filling the gap/Q&A session, and a post-training exercise. In both the pre- and post-training exercise, participants answered 25 true/false questions and tested 10 blood panel samples to demonstrate their knowledge and skill on HIV counselling and testing. The average overall knowledge test score increased from 79% to 95% (p<0.001). At the baseline, knowledge test scores in topic of standard precaution and post-exposure prophylaxis were relatively low (58%) but rose to 95% after the training (p<0.001). The per cent agreement of HIV testing by lay counsellors with reference laboratory was 99.2%. Participants' knowledge was improved during the workshop and skill at HIV testing was found to remain at a high level of accuracy. Relatively weak knowledge of standard precautions and post-exposure prophylaxis suggests that lay counsellors are at risk of nosocomial infections, particularly in the absence of refresher training interventions. We conclude that the refresher training was effective for improving the knowledge and skills of lay counsellors and provided an opportunity to monitor their performance.

Ifugao males, learning and teaching for the improvement of maternal and child health status in the Philippines: an evaluation of a program

Abstract: Improving Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is a prioritized global agenda in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goal 5. In this challenge, involving males has been an important agenda, and a program with such intent was conducted in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, of the Philippines. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate the effectiveness in knowledge, attitude, and practice before and after a MCH session; (2) to evaluate the session's effectiveness in relation to socio-demographic characteristics; and (3) to examine if males who have learned about MCH topics can teach another group of males. A male community representative who received a lecture from the health office staff was assigned to teach a group of community males [Group 1, N = 140] in 5 sessions, using educational materials. 10 male volunteers from Group 1 then taught a different group of males [Group 2, N = 105] in their own barangays (villages). To evaluate its effectiveness, a self-administered questionnaire survey pertaining knowledge, attitude and practice regarding MCH was conducted at three different time points: before the session (Time 1, T1), after the session (Time 2, T2), and 3 months following the session (Time 3, T3). A repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to test for changes over time and its interaction effect between specific socio-demographic variables. In Group 1, there was a significant positive increase in knowledge score over time at T1-T2 and T1-T3 (p < 0.001). For attitude, the score increased only at T1-T2 (p = 0.027). The effectiveness in knowledge and attitude did not vary by socio-demographic characteristics. As for practice, majority of the participants reported that they had talked about MCH topics in their community and assisted a pregnant woman in some ways. A comparison between Group 1 and Group 2 revealed that Group 2 had similar effectiveness as Group 1 in knowledge improvement immediately after the session (p < 0.001), but no such improvement in the attitude score. Although the change in attitude needs further assessment, this strategy of continuous learning and teaching of MCH topics within community males is shown to improve knowledge and has a potential to uplift the MCH status, including the reduction of maternal deaths, in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, Philippines.

Redevelopment of Inland Water Transport for Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Southern Sudan

Abstract: Transport infrastructure redevelopment is needed in post-conflict situations to smoothly resettle people displaced by armed conflicts and to handle the increased flow of goods and people. This chapter will propose ways to improve planning methods for transport redevelopment in post-conflict reconstruction. The development assistance project to restore and enhance inland water transport (IWT) in post-conflict Southern Sudan demonstrates that IWT plays a crucial role in reconstruction and that IWT can expand services with a small investment more easily than road transport. This chapter refutes the widespread perception that IWT is a minor mode of transportation because of its disadvantages relative to land transport in terms of time and network scales. It first examines the use of IWT in Europe, the United States, Japan, and Korea, followed by a review of the redevelopment of IWT for disaster management in Japan and the lessons learned from relief and rehabilitation activities following the Kobe earthquake (also known as the Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake). These lessons are then applied to the rehabilitation of IWT in postconflict Southern Sudan. The chapter further discusses the challenges of capacity development for new government agencies that have been established following conflicts, which often have limited capacities for managing facilities.

Changing Pedagogical Styles: A Case Study of the Trading Game in a Japanese University.

Abstract: Even in recent times, students in Japanese universities have few opportunities to work in groups and interact with their peers. The purpose of this study was to examine interpersonal games and to investigate the significance of introducing a participatory style of teaching in the context of higher education in Japan. In particular, the study aimed to investigate the significance of students' experiences with regard to this style of teaching. The Trading Game was played by students of undergraduate courses in Daito Bunka University in Japan over a period of three years. The results revealed the following: (1) students showed an increased understanding of the realities of the global economy; (2) greater interactions were observed in the participatory style of teaching, as compared with conventional teaching; and (3) the students realised the importance of developing a broader outlook.

On the Possibility of a Lowland Rice Green Revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Eastern Uganda

Abstract: This chapter attempts to provide better understanding of the impacts of demonstrations or training of improved lowland rice management practices on its diffusion and rice yields by using the case of the JICA program in Eastern Uganda. The most important finding of this study is that lowland rice yield can be extremely high in Uganda if basic production practices, such as bunding, leveling, and straight row planting, are adopted along with the adoption of modern rice varieties and the use of simple irrigation systems, even if chemical fertilizer is not applied. The major challenge is how to disseminate such a package of improved production practices to farmers. According to our analysis, the intensity of training participation is the key to the adoption of such practices. It was also found that training participation decreases as the distance from the demonstration plot increases.

Limtongia gen. nov. for Zygozyma smithiae (Lipomycetaceae)

Abstract: Teleomorphic species of the genus Zygozyma and anamorphic species of the genus Myxozyma were examined phylogenetically. In phylogenetic trees based on 18S rRNA-, 26S rRNA-, mitochondrial small subunit rRNA- and EF-1α-gene sequences and concatenated sequences of the latter four regions, derived from the neighbor-joining method, the four species of the genus Zygozyma constituted four clusters, respectively, with low bootstrap values, indicating that all four species can be distinguished from one another at the generic level. The name of Limtongia was newly suggested for Zygozyma smithiae, and Limtongia smithiae was proposed as new combination.

Establishing an inventory-based medical equipment management system in the public sector: an experience from Uganda

Abstract: This article aims to share a practical experience of how to set up a simple framework for better medical equipment management at public hospitals and health centres in Uganda for the 2006–2009 period. Three steps approach was employed. At first, all available medical equipment was categorised in six operational conditions and that were indicated on the equipment by eye-catching colour coded stickers; from A to F. Secondary, based on the inventory from the first step, the requirements for maintaining the medical equipment were analyzed and the prioritised action plans were prepared within the available funds. Third, a simple reporting format was developed to enable the health facility managers to monitor and evaluate medical equipment management. As for the accountability, specific information and repair work done is detailed in the job card and summarized in the monthly/quarterly report which submitted to the health facilities and Ministry of Health. The stickers indicate updated operational conditions that draw users and managers attention. Inventory based medical equipment management improves the transparency and accountability regarding the maintenance jobs and the cost of expenditure and estimation. Action plan based on listed all requirements helps health facility managers to focus on priority services using the available resources more efficiently. This case study is value for health facility managers in public sector to put in place a cost effective planning with limited financial resources, especially in resource constrained settings.

Evaluation of an Agropastoral System Introduced into Soybean Fields in Paraguay: Effects on Soybean and Animal Production under Intensive Grazing Systems

Abstract: The effects of an agropastoral system on the production of soybean and wheat were investigated by comparing (from 2007 to 2009) agropastoral plots that had been reconverted from 4-year pasture (Guinea grass: Panicum maximum; 2003 to 2007) to crop cultivation, with control plots that had been continuously cropped over 13 years with soybean and wheat at CETAPAR-JICA. In 2003, Guinea grass pastures were converted from 10-year continuous cultivated soybean and wheat fields, and then grazed intensively from 2004 to 2007, while the control plots continued to be cultivated with soybean and wheat. Animal production in converted pastures was very high and the weight gain per hectare was 1,113 to 1,500 kg/ha over 3 years after introducing an intensive grazing system with supplemental feeding in dry season. The average daily gain was maintained at 0.554 to 0.621 kg/head/day despite a high stocking rate (4.5-6.0 UA/ha). However, after the reconversion in 2007, the soybean yields from 2008 to 2009 were 3.71 and 1.24 ton/ha, which were 1.02 and 1.43 times higher than those in the control plots, respectively. In 2008, the wheat yield was 2.72 ton/ha, the same as that in the control plots. Thus, we concluded that the agropastoral effects on the soybean and wheat yield were small after reconversion to intensive grazing. The reason for the small effect is likely to be the low supply of Guinea grass litter under high grazing pressure, which did not result in any accumulation of the organic matter in the soil.