Poor Countries Research Articles

Social Capital in Cooperative Memberships and Farmers’ Access to Bank Credit–Evidence from Fujian, China

For rural communities in poor countries to develop, farmers need money to invest in their farms. However, with limited assets of their own and poor conditions for obtaining loans, the farmers’ operations suffer. This study explores how farmers’ chances of obtaining a bank loan are related to the social capital that they receive from their cooperative membership. The data originated from 743 farmers in Fujian province, China, and was analyzed with the help of the instrumental variable probit (IV-probit) regression model. The results show that (a) cooperative members have a higher chance of obtaining a bank loan compared to non-members; (b) cooperative membership positively influences the chances of obtaining a bank loan for farmers with no acquaintances in banks and government or off-farm work; and (c) among farmers with higher financial knowledge, cooperative members are more likely to receive a bank loan than non-members are. Therefore, the conclusion provides empirical evidence for the financial function of cooperatives to farmers. The findings are especially relevant for cooperatives in developing countries, and they call for farmers and cooperatives to establish cooperative financial institutions. Moreover, the research conclusions point out the direction for further improving the financial effect of cooperatives.

Impact of financial inclusion on economic growth in secular and religious countries

PurposeEmpirical research on the relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth has neglected the influence of religion or secularism. This study aims to investigate the effect of financial inclusion on economic growth in religious and secular countries.Design/methodology/approachThe financial inclusion indicators are the number of automated teller machines (ATMs)per 100,000 adults and the number of bank branches per 100,000 adults. These two indicators are the accessibility dimension of financial inclusion based on physical points of service. The two-stage least square (2SLS) regression method was used to analyze the effect of financial inclusion on real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth and real GDP growth in religious and secular countries.FindingsBank branch contraction significantly increases economic growth in secular countries. Bank branch expansion combined with greater internet usage increases economic growth in secular countries while high ATM supply combined with greater internet usage decreases economic growth in secular countries. This study also finds that bank branch expansion, in the midst of a widening poverty gap, significantly increases economic growth in religious countries, implying that financial inclusion through bank branch expansion is effective in promoting economic growth in poor religious countries. It was also found that internet usage is a strong determinant of economic growth in secular countries.Originality/valueFew studies in the literature examined the effect of financial inclusion on economic growth. But the literature has not examined how financial inclusion affects economic growth in religious and secular countries.

A blockchain-based platform for trading weather derivatives

This study investigated the technical and economic viability of hedging electricity consumption using weather derivatives and smart contracts. For this purpose, we priced call options to hedge against excess of temperature for 5 Brazilian cities. We also developed a distributed autonomous application (DApp) using smart contracts, which allows individuals to negotiate these financial instruments. Our findings suggest that blockchain technology can be useful in providing a low-cost infrastructure to develop financial instruments to hedge weather-related losses. The cost of providing this platform has been estimated to be less than 300 USD. The price of options has been estimated under 50 USD. This is particularly useful for electricity consumers and small businesses in poor countries. In addition, this study provides a comprehensive guide for the development of financial solutions using smart contracts to mitigate climate change impacts.

Is it possible for drug shops to abide by the formal rules? The structural determinants of community medicine sales in Uganda

The medicines retail sector is an essential element of many health systems in Africa and Asia, but it is also well known for poor practice. In the literature, it is...

Pre- and post-intervention survey on lung cancer awareness among adults in selected communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A quasi-experimental study.

Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer mortality estimated at 1.8 million deaths. There are limited studies in resource poor countries regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices towards lung cancer. This study aimed to assess the effects of a lung cancer awareness intervention in selected communities in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa. A quasi-experimental study design was conducted in the selected communities in KwaZulu-Natal. A community intervention was administered in the communities after a baseline survey. The intervention effects were assessed a month after implementation. There were statistical differences in the mean age (p<0.001) and proportion of males and females (p<0.001) at baseline and post-intervention. There were no differences in terms of smoking status (p=0.958), however, there was a reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day (p<0.001) and the number of packs smoked per week (p=0.026). The mean knowledge score increased from 41.8% (95% CI 35.7 - 47.9) at baseline to 59.9 (95% CI 53.8 - 66.0) post-intervention (p<0.001). The proportion of participants who were aware that lung cancer can be detected early increased from 46.5% (95% CI 39.1 - 53.9) at baseline to 81.1% (95% CI 71.7 - 87.9) post-intervention (p<0.001). The intervention had a statistically significant effect (aOR 4.370, 95% CI 1.477-12.928) on the level of lung cancer knowledge in the selected communities (p<0.001). Interventions increasing the recognition of signs and symptoms, focusing on the importance of early detection and health seeking behaviour (including screening), smoking cessation, and addressing the perceived health system barriers are required.

A Comparative Analysis of External Debt in the East African Community Countries

Borrowing to finance public infrastructure has pushed debt levels to record highs within the East African Community (EAC) countries. Total external debt stock grew by 333.38 percent between 1970 and 2020. The rise in external debt exceeded growth in GDP and exports in all the countries except for the Democratic Republic of Congo between 2010 and 2020. The situation could have been worse had it not been for a massive external debt cancellation by the international community under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) programmes that benefitted all the EAC countries except Kenya. Virtually all the countries are increasingly borrowing more long-term than short-term external loans. Multilateral and official bilateral creditors continue to be the major financiers in all the countries even though these countries are gradually diversifying their sources of borrowing. All the EAC countries except Burundi had publicly guaranteed private sector external debt from commercial banks between 2010 and 2020. Three of the countries, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, had nonguaranteed private sector external debt during the period. Two countries, Kenya and Rwanda, have joined a fast growing number of African countries that are issuing international sovereign bonds. The EAC countries are in a vulnerable position, with public external debt already at elevated levels. Trends in some of the external debt ratios including debt-to GDP, debt-to-exports, and debt service-to-exports ratios suggest that these countries could face challenges in servicing their external debts and meeting other foreign exchange obligations. High levels of external debt seem to have led to a vicious cycle of debt. Even after benefitting from the HIPC and MDRI debt relief programmes, the countries are once again facing high debt ratios. In light of the above findings, governments of the EAC countries should: look for improved terms on new loans; restructure external commercial loans that have heavy maturities and high interest rates; continue to diversify sources of external financing to reduce high dependency on expensive loans; make concerted efforts to increase concessional public external debt; explore non-debt creating financing options for public investments such as Public Private Partnerships; and look into refinancing expensive debt with debt on more favourable terms. Keywords : External debt, multilateral and bilateral debt, publicly guaranteed debt, external debt indicators, vicious cycle of debt DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-4-01 Publication date: February 28 th 2023

Abstract WP78: Low Cost Stroke Management Strategy With Hospital Outcome And One Year Follow-up From A Single Stroke Center, India

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of economic burden in the Low Middle Income countries (LMIC’s). We want to study the outcome of acute strokes treated under Government scheme with minimal package (For Ischemic Stroke - 257 USD &amp; For hemorrhagic stroke - 399 USD), but offered evidence-based stroke care other than thrombolysis. Methods: From January 2021 to March 2021, a total of 350 cases were treated in our Ankineedu stroke center. Out of these 125 (36%) acute stroke patients are treated under subsidized economical stroke care from admission to discharge. In-patient mortality, 3 months follow up and 1 year follow up recorded. All patients received standard medical treatment in Stroke unit with Antiplatelets, statins, DVT prophylaxis, Antihypertensives, dysphagia assessment, physiotherapy and Neurosurgery when required. All basic stroke investigations done - CT scan, MRI scan, MR Angio, Neck vessel doppler, Lipids, Renal Function test, RBS, ECG and ECHO. All patients discharged on secondary prevention. Average length of stay is 10 days. Results: There were 94 men and 31 women, age ranged from 18 years to 85 years (median 55 yrs). Type of stroke: Ischemic Stroke -74% and Haemorrhagic stroke - 26%, 4 patients (3.2%) underwent Neurosurgery. Risk factors: Hypertension - 82 (66%), Diabetes - 45 (36%), Cardiac problems - 17 (13.6%), Smoking - 20 (16%), Alcohol - 15 (12%). Total In-house mortality 5 (4%) and the remaining patients outcome at 3 months - Good outcome with modified rankin scale (mRS) 0-2 in 83 patients (66%), Fair Outcome with mRS (3-4) - 35 (28%), 1 patient (0.8%) bedridden and 1 patient (0.8%) died at home. Out of 125 patients, 60 patients (48%) came for 1 year follow up, of these 88% had mRS (0-2), 12% had mRS (3-5). Conclusion: In resource poor countries we can offer basic stroke care model to all needy patients with reasonable outcome. However, the follow up needs to be strengthened.

결혼이주여성의 ‘타자화’에서 ‘주체화’로의 변화에 관한 연구

This paper analyzes the process of change from 'other' to 'subject' by conducting in-depth interviews on the economic activities and life experiences of marriage migrant women in Yeongju, Gyeongbuk. According to the research results, marriage migrant women chose to marry Korean men in order to help poor families in their home countries and live a prosperous life in Korea. However, the realities of Korean families were poor, and women were severely ignored and discriminated against because they were from poor countries. Marriage migrant women made efforts to engage in economic activities and participate in Korean language classes and competency programs in order to change their poor home environment for the better. Marriage migrant women gave birth to sons, accepted Korean family culture, and were recognized as dignified personalities. Marriage migrant women are growing into family leaders by leading cultural convergence between their mother country and Korea.

Impact of COVID-19 Containment Measures on Unemployment: A Multi-country Analysis Using a Difference-in-Differences Framework.

At the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in the absence of pharmaceutical interventions, countries resorted to containment measures to stem the spread of the disease. In this paper, we have conducted a global study using a sample of 46 countries to evaluate whether these containment measures resulted in unemployment. We use a difference-in-differences (DID) specification with a heterogenous intervention to show the varying intensity effect of containment measures on unemployment, on a sample of 46 countries. We explain variations in unemployment from January-June 2020 using stringency of containment measures, controlling for gross domestic product (GDP) growth, inflation rate, exports, cases of COVID-19 per million, COVID-19-specific fiscal spending, time fixed effects, region fixed effects, and region trends. We conduct further subset analyses by COVID-cases quintiles and gross national income (GNI) per capita quintiles. The median level of containment stringency in our sample was 43.7. Our model found that increasing stringency to this level would result in unemployment increasing by 1.87 percentage points (or 1.67 pp, after controlling for confounding). For countries with below median COVID-19 cases and below median GNI per capita, this effect is larger. Containment measures have a strong impact on unemployment. This effect is larger in poorer countries and countries with low COVID-19 cases. Given that unemployment has profound effects on mortality and morbidity, this consequence of containment measures may compound the adverse health effects of the pandemic for the most vulnerable groups. It is necessary for governments to consider this in future pandemic management, and to attempt to alleviate the impact of containment measures via effective fiscal spending.

A Cros Sectional Study on the Plateletcrit and Platelet Indices in Different Forms of Dengue Fever

Background: Dengue fever is a viral disease caused by four different serotypes of dengue viruses from DENV, transmitted mostly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The disease has history of many outbreaks mostly in tropic and sub-tropic countries, costing many lives annually, with millions in mild to complicated forms, bringing stress to health systems and economies of poor countries. Dengue epidemic occurred in Pakistan in 2010 with 257 deaths during the epidemic and prevalence of 16580 cases in Rawalpindi, repeated epidemic in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019 with higher prevalence. Objective: To determine the frequency of dengue hemorrhagic fever in patients of dengue fever and to compare mean platecrit and platelet indices in patients with or without dengue hemorrhagic fever due to dengue fever. Materials And Methods: The design of this study was an observational cross sectional study design. This study was conducted in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi and the duration of this study was 6 months after the approval of synopsis i.e 1st May 2021 to 30th Oct 2021. Patients fulfilling selection criteria were enrolled in the study from emergency of Department of Infectious Diseases, Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi. Informed consent was taken. Then patients were evaluated and divided for severity score (annexure I). Reports were assessed for Platelet indices including platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width (as per operational definition). All this information were recorded on proforma (attached). Results: Total 150 participants were enrolled in the study as per the inclusion criteria. Mean age in the study was 38.42+13.74 whereas there were 94 (62.7%) male and 56 (37.3%) female patients who were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria. Among 150 patients, 28 (18.7%) patients were presented with dengue hemorrhagic fever in patients of dengue fever. Mean Platecrit indices in patients with or without dengue hemorrhagic fever due to dengue fever in the study was 0.26+1.62 vs 0.08+0.02 (p-value 0.552) whereas mean platelet indices in patients with or without dengue hemorrhagic fever due to dengue fever in the study was 64.19+41.11 vs 78.10+32.74 (p-value 0.097). Practical Implication: To determine the frequency of dengue hemorrhagic fever in patients of dengue fever and to compare mean platecrit and platelet indices in patients with or without dengue hemorrhagic fever due to dengue fever Conclusion: The study concluded that different indices of platelets within different forms of dengue fever to assess the severity of the disease process may serve as an early indicator of disease progress and severity which will help to decide early intervention. Keywords: Dengue Fever, Hemorrhagic, Platelet, Indices, Serotypes, Epidemic, Participants

Report a rare case of pulmonary hydatid cyst which present as massive pleural effusion

Common cause of massive pleural effusions (MPE) are malignancy, tuberculosis and parapneumonic effusion,. Parasitic infections are very rare causes of (MPE). Echinococcosis or hydatid disease is a major public health problem in poor hygienic country in the world. The liver is most common organ involved and lungs are the secound most frequently involved organs. Pulmonary hydatid cyst appears to be more common in younger individuals. Echinococcus granulosus is most common type and Echinococcus multilocularis hydatid cyst causes alveolar hydatid cyst, which accounts for &lt;5%of all cases of hydatid disease of liver and less frequently cause of lung cyst. Here, we present an unusual and very rare case of echinococcosis pulmonary hydatid cysts mimicking and present as (MPE) with delay diagnosis. After antero-lateral thoracotomy. Diagnosis of hydatid cyst confirmed, patient was discharged with good condition.

Multi-Illumination Single-Holographic-Exposure Lensless Fresnel (MISHELF) Microscopy: Principles and Biomedical Applications.

Lensless holographic microscopy (LHM) comes out as a promising label-free technique since it supplies high-quality imaging and adaptive magnification in a lens-free, compact and cost-effective way. Compact sizes and reduced prices of LHMs make them a perfect instrument for point-of-care diagnosis and increase their usability in limited-resource laboratories, remote areas, and poor countries. LHM can provide excellent intensity and phase imaging when the twin image is removed. In that sense, multi-illumination single-holographic-exposure lensless Fresnel (MISHELF) microscopy appears as a single-shot and phase-retrieved imaging technique employing multiple illumination/detection channels and a fast-iterative phase-retrieval algorithm. In this contribution, we review MISHELF microscopy through the description of the principles, the analysis of the performance, the presentation of the microscope prototypes and the inclusion of the main biomedical applications reported so far.

The Role of C- Reactive Protein (CRP) in the Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis

Background: Neonatal sepsis or septicemia is the term that has been used to describe the systemic response to infection in a newborn infant during the first 28 days of life. Neonatal mortality is increasingly recognized as an important global public health challenge that must be addressed if we wish to reduce child death disparities between rich and poor countries. Most of the estimated 4 million neonatal deaths per year occur in low and middle-income countries. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Method of the Study: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Neonatology, BSMMU, Dhaka over a period of 6 months between January 2013 to June 2013. Newborns with suspected sepsis admitted to BSMMU were the study population. Clinically diagnosed cases of neonatal sepsis aged &lt; 28 days of both sexes whose parents or guardians provided informed consent were eligible for enrollment in the study. The subjects were selected consecutively from the study population. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire containing all the variables of interest. Data were processed and analyzed using the computer software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). The test statistics used to analyze the data were Chi-square (χ2) or Fisher’s Exact Probability Test &amp; Student’s t-Test. Result: The sensitivity of CRP in correctly detecting neonatal sepsis of those who have the disease is 94.44%, while the specificity of the test in correctly differentiating neonates who do not have the disease is 13.72%. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the test is 27.86% and the negative predictive value of the test is 87.5%. The percentages of false positives and false negatives as yielded by the test are 72.13% and 12.5% respectively. Conclusion: The sensitivity of CRP was higher at 94.44% but specificity was low 13.72%. A combination of tests may increase the sensitivity, ........

Microbiological and Physico-Chemical Quality Assessment of drinking water in Dehradun

Over a sixth of the global total does not have access to clean drinking water. People in poor countries face a significant burden of diarrheal disease and other debilitating, life-threatening diseases due to a lack of adequate water. Fresh-water demand will continue to rise dramatically throughout the globe in the next years to satisfy the demands of rising people, developing economies, changes in lifestyle, and altering consumption behavior. It will also put even more strain on already scarce natural resources and ecosystems. As a result of overuse and water contamination, clean water has recently become a scarce fundamental commodity. In addition, the importance of new microbes in drinkable water has grown. Because of the serious implications of a drinking water source being polluted with pathogenic bacteria, prevention is important. The objective of this study is to find the quality of water whether or not it is suitable for drinking on the basis of physicochemical and microbiological assessment. In this study, we determine the water quality in terms of contamination rate such as chemical and microbiological to assure that the water we are drinking is safe for us as well as for other people. The testing was done as per IS 10500:2012 (Indian Standard) and APHA, USEPA for chemical and bacteriological analysis. The maximum numbers of chemical parameters were within the limits whereas this was not in the case of bacteriological parameter. The result of this study was that physical appearance is agreeable and disagreeable in some areas of Dehradun and in chemical appearance the amount of calcium is more than the limit and there is microbial contamination found in all water samples. From these studies, it is recommended that drinking water should be filtered and boiled. The water storage tanks should be washed in timely manner with chlorine tablets and chlorine liquid to avoid the contamination of water.

The corporatization of global health: The impact of neoliberalism

Concomitant with the emergence of a neoliberal precept for global health is the decline in support for publicly funded programs working to alleviate health disparities in poor countries. An unequivocal faith in the privatization and marketization of public health services is evident in current day national policy reforms. Commodification of health services is perceived as a cure-all. Privatization of global health initiatives contrasts with the past institutional paradigm. Corporate and philanthropic power trumps intergovernmental governance. The epistemological precept is clear: Global health is best served with mandated private initiatives. Powerful foundations cause critical shifts in the balance of power among stakeholders and become preeminent players in global health policy agenda formation. The ethics of consequentialism have attained current day prominence. This contrasts with the merits and relevancy of de-ontological ethics in which rules and moral duty are central. In this paper, authors make a case for contesting the ethos of effective altruism or venture philanthropy, suggesting that this approach keeps nations and people from recognizing the oppressive nature of neoliberalism as a governing precept for global health.

What Moldova Looks Like Today: 31 Years of Independence

The article is devoted to the development of the Republic of Moldova after gaining independence in 1991. Once a developing country with a sustainable economy, where citizens from all over the Soviet Union aspired to go, today it is the poorest country in Europe, with hundreds of its citizens leaving abroad every day, in recent years mainly to the countries of the European Union, in order to feed their families and provide a decent future for their children. It is noted that after the collapse of the USSR, the country faced a severe economic crisis, the consequences of which the country is still experiencing today. The article analyzes the problems the Republic of Moldova is facing today, including a difficult economic situation, a high level of corruption, an unstable political situation in the country, high energy and food prices, a low standard of living, and unemployment. Thus, Moldova turned out to be a state that became dependent on foreign aid. In 2019, the newly elected government set the course for European integration, complicating its relations with Russia. 2022 has become even more challenging for the country, which, in addition to all the economic and political problems, faced the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine, refugees and the problem of increased energy prices.

C/EBPβ expression decreases in cervical cancer and leads to tumorigenesis

BackgroundCervical cancer is currently estimated to be the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in some of the world’s poorest countries. C/EBPβ has tumor suppressor effects because it is necessary for oncogene-induced senescence. However, C/EBPβ also has an oncogenic role. The specific role of C/EBPβ in cervical cancer as a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein is unclear.ObjectiveTo explore the role of the C/EBPβ protein in cervical tumorigenesis and progression.MethodsQuantitative RT-PCR was used to analyze C/EBPβ (15 cervical cancer tissue samples and 15 corresponding normal cervical tissue samples), miR-661, and MTA1 mRNA expression in clinical samples (10 cervical cancer tissue samples and 10 corresponding normal cervical tissue samples). Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze C/EBPβ (381 clinical samples), Ki67 (80 clinical samples) and PCNA ( 60 clinical samples) protein expression. MALDI-TOF MassARRAY was used to analyze C/EBPβ gene methylation (13 cervical cancer tissues and 13 corresponding normal cervical tissues). Cell proliferation was analyzed by CCK-8 in cervical cancer cell lines. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect C/EBPβ protein expression levels, and mRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Flow cytometry was performed to measure cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis. Colony formation, Transwell, cell invasion, and wound healing assays were performed to detect cell migration and invasion.ResultsC/EBPβ protein expression was significantly reduced in cervical cancer tissues compared with cervicitis tissues (P < 0.01). Ki67 protein and PCNA protein expression levels were significantly higher in cervical cancer tissues compared with cervicitis tissues. The rate of C/EBPβ gene promoter methylation of CpG12, 13, 14 and CpG19 in cervical cancer tissues was significantly increased compared with normal cervical tissue (P < 0.05). In addition, C/EBPβ was overexpressed in cervical cancer cells and this overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, arrested cells in S phase, and promoted apoptosis.ConclusionsWe have demonstrated that C/EBPβ decreased in cervical cancer tissues and overexpression of the C/EBPβ gene in cervical cancer cells could inhibit proliferation, invasion and migration.

The trajectories of urbanisation in Southern Africa: A comparative analysis

Urbanisation is a worldwide phenomenon, yet its patterns vary significantly from one region to another. While the rate is slowing down in the Global North, the opposite is happening in parts of the Global South. This paper assesses the trajectory of urbanisation in Southern Africa over the last 40 years. This is one of the fastest urbanising regions of the world. It analyses four themes: cities’ growth rates, size distribution, built-up areas and urban density. Several findings suggest that urbanisation has become slightly more manageable since the turn of the century. There has been a gradual decline in the urban population growth rate, the number of cities is increasing more slowly than before, and the urban footprint is expanding more slowly. South Africa and Zimbabwe exemplify these trends. Other findings give greater cause for concern and warrant more government attention. Growth is unevenly distributed across the size spectrum, with the largest cities growing much faster than smaller cities. In addition, the highest urban densities are in the poorest countries, suggesting that density takes the form of overcrowded informal settlements rather than liveable and productive places. The DRC and Mozambique exemplify these challenges.

Sensitivity of uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index in screening for adverse pregnancy outcome in first and second trimesters.

In a poor resource country where screening for adverse pregnancy outcomes using maternal biomarkers seems unattainable, there is a need to search for credible alternatives. This study is, therefore, aimed at determining the sensitivity of uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index (UtAD-PI) in predicting pregnancy outcomesin the first and second trimesters and to establish any statistical difference in mean UtAD-PI in first and second trimesters screening of women with normal and abnormal pregnancy outcomes respectively. This clinical-based, longitudinal, and unpaired cohort study involved 500 pregnant women, who were screened for adverse outcomes using UtAD-PI and delivered in the hospital. These were divided into two groups, each having a training set and a test set. The training set was used to generate the receiver operator characteristic curve and cut-off point while the test set was used to test for sensitivity and specificity of the Ut-ADI in each trimester. The sensitivity and specificity of UtAD-PI in first-trimester screening are 97% and 76.5% while second-trimester gave sensitivity and specificity of 57.5% and 63.3% respectively. The uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index shows statistically significant differences between normal pregnancy and pregnancy with adverse outcomes (p-value = 0.000). The uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index is a good screening tool for adverse pregnancy outcomes. First-trimester screening of patients for adverse outcomes is more sensitive than the second-trimester screening using UtAD-PI. There is also a statistically significant difference between mean UtAD-PI between normal pregnancy and pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Estimation of Panel Data Models with Mixed Sampling Frequencies*

AbstractStandard panel models usually assume that data are available at the same frequency. Occasionally, researchers might work with variables sampled at different frequencies. A common practice is to aggregate all variables to the same frequency by an equal weighting scheme. We show that such a simple aggregation scheme results in biases for common estimators. We propose a data‐driven method to determine weights for aggregation. We further demonstrate that, in contrast with single‐frequency panel models, the Mundlak device and the Chamberlain's approach lead to different estimators for panels with mixed sampling frequencies. The proposed estimators have satisfying finite sample performances in various simulation designs. As an empirical illustration, we apply the new method to the estimation of the effects of temperature fluctuations on economic growth. The empirical evidence shows that the temperature shocks mainly work through the level effect instead of the growth effect for poor countries.