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Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article focuses on a research concerning water management in Africa funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and has been prepared for the Innovation Lab for Small-Scale Irrigation (ILSSI). The study focuses on gardens, whose main purpose is the production of food, as well as growing herbs and spices for home consumption. Other information related to water management for home gardens in the region is provided.

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Freshwater systems are adversely affected disproportionately by the ongoing, global environmental crisis. The effective and efficient water resource conservation and management necessary to mitigate the crisis requires monitoring data especially on water quality. This is recognized by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, particularly indicator 6.3.2., which requires all United Nations (UN) member states to measure and report the 'proportion of water bodies with good ambient water quality'. However, gathering sufficient data on water quality is reliant on data collection at spatial and temporal scales that are generally outside the capacity of institutions using conventional methods. Digital technologies, such as wireless sensor networks and remote sensing, have come to the fore as promising avenues to increase the scope of data collection and reporting. Citizen science (which goes by many names, e.g., participatory science or community-based monitoring) has also been earmarked as a powerful mechanism to improve monitoring. However, both modern digital technologies and citizen science approaches have drawbacks and limitations. The synergy between the power of automated, verifiable data collection using modern technologies, and the power of citizen science to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of data collection while engaging and empowering communities, presents an opportunity to use the best features of each mechanism to mitigate the shortcomings of the other. Smartphones, sometimes in conjunction with other sensors, present such a nexus point, providing a method for citizen scientists to engage with and use sophisticated modern technology for water quality monitoring. Smartphones are widely accessible and equipped for objective, comprehensive and accurate data collection. The data can also be uploaded (via internet connections) to large cloud-based databases with cloud-based computing for data management and reporting. This paper presents a research synthesis of technological upgrades or innovations in citizen science water quality monitoring in developing countries, with a particular focus on exploring the current status of modern, smartphone-based, or smartphone-assisted citizen science tools, and how those tools can be validated or expanded for SDG reporting in developing countries. Essentially, the paper aims to briefly summarize the current standing, reiterate the urgent need for research and action in water resource monitoring and management, and urge further engagement with citizen science water quality monitoring using digital innovations; digital innovations for smartphones are being rapidly developed, but the scientific validation for their use in specific circumstances or regions, as well as their uptake and upscaling, are still widely lacking. Globally, there are many options and developments relevant to citizen science smartphone-based or smartphone-assisted water quality monitoring. However, not all modern developments are suitable for deployment or testing across all socio-ecological environments. Innovations in smartphone water quality monitoring in low and middle-income country contexts need to be low-cost (requiring minimal input costs beyond having a smartphone), easy-to-use, easily scalable, commercially available, suited to use by minimally skilled people in rural and developing areas. Moreover, monitoring all the parameters (physical, chemical and biological) that contribute to water quality is highly complex and outside the scope of what is achievable by most people, organizations, or even governments. As a result, it is sensible that water resource monitoring and management efforts are primarily directed toward addressing the SDG indicators to align with global goals. The SDG water quality indicators were chosen as a result of extensive consultation and research. They are designed to provide a snapshot of water quality suitable for most regions and socioeconomic situations worldwide. The SDG 6.3.2. indicator method employs a water quality index that integrates basic core water quality parameters; oxygen, salinity, nitrogen, phosphorus and acidification. Monitoring algae, temperature and clarity also presents useful options since they are highly relevant to ambient water quality and can be monitored cheaply and easily by citizen scientists. This paper summarizes a non-exhaustive list of examples of smartphone-based or smartphone-assisted applications (mobile apps) that are suggested or recommended for research and implementation in developing countries. Research and development regarding these options should aim to validate the accuracy of data collection, accessibility, ease of use, cost, and the feasibility of contributing to pathways from data collection to citizen mobilization and decision-making. Ultimately, once these options are validated, they can be used to design and implement monitoring networks around the globe. Welldesigned citizen science water quality monitoring apps on smartphones can increase community engagement regarding environmental issues and policy, build awareness and scientific literacy, and generate large amounts of data, all at a greatly reduced cost compared to conventional and modern technological methods. It is suggested that smartphone-based or smartphoneassisted citizen science water quality monitoring has the potential to address critical data and knowledge gaps that contribute towards reporting on at least SDG 6.3.2 while fulfilling SDG 6b 'procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management' - a potential which is still often not realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter 6 of the book "Strategy Reports: Your Defence Dollar: The 2004-05 Defence Budget" is presented. It gives an update on the revised version of Australia's White Paper, the Defence Capability Plan (DCP). The revised DCP reflected the detailed decisions taken by the Australian government in the 2003 Defence Capability Review. The revision of the White Paper funding is discussed. It points out that the Australian government is spending more on defense that it planned to back in 2000.

The article argues that there are compelling reasons why the government of Australia needs a new defence white paper in 2005. Central policy challenges in the vital areas of defence policy are international security and strategy, military capability development and budget challenges. A review of the county's defence policy settings will involve close engagement with the National Security Committee of Cabinet to ensure that government is satisfied with the shape of the final policy.

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article offers information about the judicial system and corruption in Azerbaijan. It is stated that judicial corruption and lack of independence have been serious problems in the country. Accordingly, the government has worked with the Council of Europe on a reform strategy, which aims to ensure the greater independence among the judges in the country, and improved procedures for their selection and appointment. Detailed information about the reforms is discussed.

Provides information on the White Paper on the Australian Aid Program being developed which aimed to provide a medium term blueprint for Australia's future overseas aid strategy to be delivered by the Government's international development agency AusAID. Strategic role that AusAID may play in HIV responses in the Asia-Pacific region as a result of the White Paper; Background on the development of a series of geographic and thematic Analytical Reports on key parts of the aid program to help prepare the White Paper; Key findings of the HIV Analytical Report.

The article present a case study on the use of plastic and its externalities and other health related effects such as liver, kidney and brain damage. It discusses the problem of litter due to plastic and its negative effect on environment and discusses the new calls to switch to paper which requires cutting of trees and requires larger space for dumping. It also discusses the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) of the Governmnent of India to clean the River Ganges.

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There are over 900 small reservoirs (SRs) constructed by the federal and state governments for rural water supply and irrigation across Nigeria. Many of them are currently not performing to their full potential. The Ogun-Osun River Basin with four sub-watersheds (Ogun, Osun, Ona and Sasa) has many SRs. The Ogun sub-watershed is a major hydrological basin with over 25 small dams and reservoirs constructed under various government programs. These reservoirs, however, are poorly maintained and poorly managed and lack the required institutional and governance structures to ensure realization of their potential. Nevertheless, farmer-led irrigation (FLI) practices are growing around these reservoirs as farmers have taken over the structures (albeit informally) through private irrigation efforts such as investing in water lifting, conveyance and crop production practices. This study evaluated the condition and utilization of 20 SRs in the Ogun sub-watershed to answer several questions: What are the prevailing issues responsible for the low productive use of the SRs? How does the state of hydraulic infrastructure, maintenance and management affect overall productivity? How can water productivity be enhanced? What is required to improve the productive use of these SRs? This paper reports on the state of selected reservoirs and makes recommendations to achieve more sustainable management of these resources. Five major issues were investigated: the dams' structural elements and reservoir capacities; maintenance and management of the dams, including institutional and governance structures; agricultural and irrigation practices; agronomy and farming systems; and marketing and related socioeconomic issues. The research methods we followed included field and infrastructure assessments, focus group discussions and key informant interviews with the relevant stakeholders. The capacities of the reservoirs included in our study ranged from 0.09 million cubic meters (Mm2) to 2.025 Mm2, with 90% of the reservoirs having less than 1 Mm2 capacity. The combined capacity of these SRs was 9.75 Mm3 with a total irrigable area of 152 hectares (ha), of which 97 ha (64%) are currently cultivated largely by FLI actors. Eroded and overgrown embankments, fractured spillways, sedimentation and high levels of weed infestation were observed in these reservoirs. Overall, 70% of the SRs are in a poor state and need urgent revamping. Although about 80% of the 780 farming households in the study area are currently active in irrigated crop production, they face many constraints, including limited irrigation management capacity, extension support and access to necessary inputs. Farmers themselves coordinate the management of these reservoirs on an ad hoc basis. Most of them consider irrigated agriculture profitable, especially as they can produce during the dry season when vegetables command better prices. However, the poor state of the dam structures and reservoir storage limits the advantages that can be derived from irrigation. To sustain the SRs' storage capacity, overhauling the dam spillways and embankments and dredging the reservoirs are critical solutions. Furthermore, inefficient irrigation practices resulting from low technical capacity, inadequate irrigation equipment and the challenge of securing a good return on investment in the context of poor market access are the other issues that need to be addressed. Building the capacity of farmers in irrigation management practices is important for the success of FLI efforts. There is also a need to strengthen the governance of reservoirs with appropriate and inclusive institutions. The current level of haphazard and poor coordination makes these reservoirs unsustainable. The existing farmer cooperatives and commodity associations can be reorganized to serve as water user associations to coordinate water allocation, utilization and reservoir management. There is also a need for a support mechanism for farmers to access resources such as agricultural inputs, finance, markets and technical support. This can be achieved by creating an enabling environment for public-private partnership arrangements with private sector actors, improving the extension services, and cooperation among the stakeholders. The potential of SRs to support smallholder irrigation in the Ogun subwatershed is high, provided a more sustainable approach is employed, especially by strengthening the capacity of water users to take firm ownership of the systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of IWMI Working Papers is the property of International Water Management Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article offers step-by-step instructions for a making a paper-model bird.

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Freshwater in both natural stores (i.e., glaciers, permafrost, groundwater, lakes, wetlands, and soils) and man-made stores (i.e., small and large reservoirs, and paddy fields) is critical for coping with spatial and temporal variations in water supply and demand. Its importance has grown as human populations have risen and socioeconomic development advanced. As a major component of many national adaptation strategies, the importance of water storage will continue to increase as the impacts of climate change become more pronounced. However, in large part because of the complex distribution over large spatial scales, and difficulties in monitoring, the aggregate volumes of water in terrestrial stores and the rates at which they are changing have, until recently, remained largely unknown. Recent advances in Earth observation and computer modeling enable greater disaggregation and better quantification of different storage elements. Based on literature and extrapolation, this paper provides a summary of estimates of different components and trends in terrestrial water storage. Such estimates are a useful starting point for more strategic thinking about how to manage and protect the Earth's freshwater sources in the future. Results indicate that, at the global level, direct human impacts on water storage remain very small compared to the total volumes stored, but are now approximately the same order of magnitude as climate-induced changes. Cumulative reduction in terrestrial water storage from 1971 to 2020 is estimated to be of the order of 27,079 Bm3 (more than annual total global freshwater use by humans). Excluding ice caps, the greatest depletion is in mountain glaciers (8,666 Bm3), groundwater (7,041 Bm3) and wetlands (3,920 Bm3). Although these changes are insignificant at the global scale, human impacts on 'operational' freshwater storage (i.e., the proportion of water storage that is sustainably utilizable by people) are much more significant. A conservative estimate is that there has been a decrease of more than 3% in operational freshwater storage since 1971. Declining water storage is a major contributor to local/regional water crises that ultimately threaten billions of people and many ecosystems worldwide. In many places, both natural and man-made water storage are declining simultaneously and exacerbating water stress. Decades of degradation of lakes, wetlands and soil, and sedimentation of reservoirs, as well as overabstraction of groundwater complicate future water resources management, reduce adaptive capacity, and undermine the resilience of 'thirsty' societies that are increasingly under threat from the impacts of climate change and increasing variability in freshwater availability. Actions to stop and reverse the loss of water from both natural and man-made water storage would help enhance water security, and buffer the negative impacts of multiple pressures, not only climate change, on ecosystems and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper was to advocate for the marketing of library products and services to increase the level of reading habits among secondary school students in Nigeria. This is imperative to the development of a reading culture among the students in society and is far better imbibed in them at a very tender age. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and used a structured questionnaire and observation checklist to collect data. A total of 150 respondents, made up of 120 Senior Secondary (SS) school students and 30 teachers, purposely filled out the questionnaire across the three geographical zones in Nigeria: south-west, south-south, and south-east. Five questions guided the research, while the observation checklists were filled out by the researchers at the sight of the collections. The collected data were analyzed using percentages, the mean, and the standard deviation. Major findings revealed that Core TextBooks, e.g., English, Maths, Geography, etc., Study Guides, e.g., Key Points, Past Question Papers, Revision Books, Professional Development Materials for Teachers, and other Information Books were available, while materials that were not available include youth fiction, adult fiction, journals, newspapers, films, sound and video recording, CD-ROMs, games like puzzles, scrabbles, building blocks, e-books, and audiobooks. Challenges encountered in increasing reading habits include home factors (parents not having time to support their children's reading habit) (3.27), school environment factors such as busy academic schedules and time constraints (3.12), poor learning environment (2.75), lack of functional library (3.07), inadequate supply of reading materials (3.01), poor reading campaign (2.97), problem of students' lack of interest to read (3.23), poverty (2.92), digital distractions (3.01), and reading difficulties (2.88). Possible solutions to this, according to the study, include mainly encouraging the government to improve the physical learning environment by providing comfortable seating, adequate lighting, and a quiet atmosphere conducive to reading; identifying students who are struggling with reading and providing them with extra support; providing training for teachers and librarians on how to promote reading and literacy; and integrating reading into the curriculum to create a culture of reading in the schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Politicians often mention immigration enforcement, and deportation in particular, as a means to assert state sovereignty. The scholarship on deportation in philosophy and political anthropology also names exclusion as a founding act of sovereignty. This paper looks at deportation through an event that is interpreted as regaining sovereignty by a State, that is exiting a supra-national political organization, namely the European Union. New immigration regulations in the UK are meant to end the EU Freedom of Movement and equalise the statuses of EU- and non-EU migrants in the UK. The research question this working paper addresses is the following: how will the new immigration regulations and policies affect the possibility of deportations of EU citizens in the UK? With the lens of Interpretive Policy Analysis, the working paper analyses primary sources, such as regulations, policy papers and policy implementation guidelines as well as expert interviews with immigration advisors. It concludes that the deportability of EU citizens will increase. Deportability of EU citizens will be differentiated, as rough sleepers, former convicts and irregular migrants may be first to be targeted with deportation and form a new deportspora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of IWMI Working Papers is the property of International Water Management Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Small reservoirs are a critical mechanism to strengthen resilience and enhance rural livelihoods in Africa. They provide a range of benefits, including increased access to water in local communities, improved household food security, diversified livelihood options, female empowerment and enhanced entrepreneurial activities. As a result, governments, development agencies and the private sector have invested significant resources in constructing new or rehabilitating existing small reservoirs. However, a range of factors, including insufficient maintenance, rapid siltation and ineffective institutions, can weaken the performance of small reservoirs. Reconciling mixed evidence to generate a balanced picture - Despite existing data on various benefits and costs of small reservoirs in Africa, no comprehensive assessment of their impacts has been undertaken. Case studies yield important insights, but cannot be used individually to confidently generalize. This paper responds to the lack of comprehensive examination of the impacts of small reservoirs by undertaking a stock-take of available evidence to understand the frequency of reporting of various impacts, benefits and costs. A survey of available evidence provides the basis for more conclusive guidance on how to improve the performance of small reservoirs in Africa. Objectives and methods - This paper synthesizes available literature on the benefits, performance and challenges of small reservoirs, and provides recommendations that can inform future investment. The study compiled and classified more than 80 documents concerning about 4,000 small reservoirs in Africa, according to a set of basic, descriptive and explanatory parameters. Basic parameters describe a reservoir's name, location and investment status. Descriptive parameters capture the impacts of a reservoir (what happened) and explanatory parameters capture the determinants of the impact (why it happened). In addition, the study included field-based research on the conditions around a set of 10 small reservoirs in southern Zambia, which enabled more nuanced analysis and discussion of key findings. Field-based data were collected through conducting interviews on a set of key parameters including benefits, costs, degree of functionality, institutions and maintenance. Results from document analysis - Results from the desktop study show a range of benefits derived from small reservoirs. These benefits include improved reliability of access to domestic water and expanded irrigation water supply, as well as increased livestock watering and greater entrepreneurial activities. Further, positive impacts realized include improved household food security, increased household income, reduced out-migration and the empowerment of women. Identified costs were relatively fewer than benefits. Costs were limited to conflicts in communities on water and land use, membership fees for users, and negative health impacts arising from water-related diseases. The performance of small reservoirs is generally rated as mixed to poor. Operational lifespans of less than 10 years, and high water loss rates in small reservoirs illustrate this poor performance. Reasons for the poor performance include weak institutions, sedimentation, poor siting and inadequate maintenance. Results from fieldwork - The case study based on fieldwork in southern Zambia confirmed both the benefits and challenges of small reservoirs that emerged from the document analysis. Further, fieldwork identified that the short-term planning horizon for investments in small reservoirs, often driven by emergency response, contributes to a rapid decline in the functionality of small reservoir infrastructure, the primary factor for such an outcome being sedimentation. However, the advocacyoriented nature of investments in small reservoirs may create a positive narrative that eclipses their generally poor performance. More significantly, fieldwork provided evidence that suggests that reinvesting in old infrastructure might be more cost-effective than building a new reservoir, particularly since the structural quality of new small dams seems to be declining. Key messages - The results point to five key messages. First, small reservoirs produce a range of benefits that provide practical value to rural communities. Second, the performance of small reservoirs - measured through economic analysis, reservoir longevity or other means - is generally not spectacular. Third, the primary factor explaining the temporal decrease in reservoir lifespan is sedimentation - explained by a host of factors, including institutions. Fourth, rehabilitation appears to be a better investment than new dam construction. Fifth, the quality of small dam infrastructure may be declining. Conclusions - Ultimately, findings from this study suggest that rehabilitating existing reservoirs may be more efficient than building new infrastructure to gain the benefits of small reservoirs. At the same time, findings also point to broader lessons on the need to change the approach to small reservoir development and management. In other words, to consider adopting a long-term, more holistic approach (or model) to the construction and maintenance of small reservoirs that match the challenges associated with sustainably tapping the benefits of the water that they store. The following three points are worth mentioning in this regard: • It is time to adapt the design of advocacy-based, disaster-responsive investments in small reservoirs, by drawing more evidence-based, practically informed approaches. In practice, this may mean insistence on the achievement of certain benchmarks by local institutions, such as provision for the collection and management of recurring costs of controlling sedimentation. • The long-term approach needed for investments in sustainable small reservoirs will require formal institutions, presumably national small reservoir programs, to ensure sustainability by managing and maintaining infrastructure. • Regular monitoring of reservoirs after investment is critical to the success of a long-term approach to investments in small reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is an almost annual phenomenon in Sri Lanka, occurring at varying degrees of severity and affecting many parts of the country. These droughts cause significant damage to agriculture and other economic and social activities. This paper assesses the effectiveness of satellite-based weather Index insurance (WII) bundled with real-time climate and agronomic advisory services provided to farmers' mobile phones. The aim is to enhance the drought resilience of diverse groups of farmers by providing solutions and strategies to extend bundled insurance products to more people and address equity issues. In this pilot, an insurance product was introduced to farmers in a village in the North Central Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. WII products are seen as a part of the solution to reducing farmers' risk to climate change. However, in many places, the structure of insurance schemes in the agriculture sector has failed to reach small-scale and marginal farmers who are most in need of risk transfer mechanisms. Based on a farmer survey, we extracted lessons from implementing a bundled insurance scheme as a pilot project to explore the utility of farmer organizations as an entry point for engaging different farmer groups and ensuring they can understand the WII insurance products and can make informed choices. The survey results show that efforts made at the outset to understand contextual issues and challenges contributed to an effective product design and rollout approach. The rollout was more effective due in part to a partnership with an established local organization while adopting an aggregator model. Covid-19 mobility restrictions prevented full implementation of the rollout. Index insurance bundled with mobile weather and agronomic advisories increased farmer resilience and reached diverse groups. Farmers emphasized that being able to assess the costs and benefits based on understanding how key elements of the product work is key to their future engagement with such products, which highlights the importance of investing in awareness raising through a blend of print, verbal and visual tools that make complex products understandable to stakeholders with low levels of literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses how the Huruluwewa tank (HWT) irrigation system in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka adapts to climate variability. Irrigation systems contribute to more than 90% of the staple food production in Sri Lanka. It is a country that bears one of the highest climate risks in the world. Further, in the North Central Province, recurrent droughts are the bane of agriculture. In the HWT, the fifteenth largest canal irrigation system in the country, adaptation to climate variability happens on two fronts: changes made by the irrigation management to the water release regime; and changes in the cropping patterns practiced by farmers in the command area. Such adaptation measures ensure that the available water supply in the reservoir is adequate for 100% cropping intensity in each of the two cropping seasons, which, when combined with diversification of cropping patterns, enhances economic water productivity in terms of value per unit of consumptive water use. Such cropping patterns also increase farmers’ incomes and resilience in low rainfall years. With proper conjunctive water management practices, the available tank storage can lead to high water-use efficiency and provide considerable socioeconomic benefits in the command area. The adaptation patterns implemented in HWT demonstrate how water-scarce irrigation systems in Sri Lanka can achieve higher economic water productivity, i.e., generate ‘more income per drop’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lists the titles of the Johns Hopkins White Papers for 2004. "Arthritis 2004"; "Coronary Heart Disease 2004"; "Depression and Anxiety 2004"; "Diabetes 2004"; "Digestive Disorders 2004"; "Back Pain and Osteoporosis 2004."

Lists the titles for the 2004 issue of the periodical "The John Hopkins White Papers." Arthritis 2004; Coronary Heart Disease 2004; Depression and Anxiety 2004; Diabetes 2004; Hypertension and Stroke 2004.

This paper reviews the evidence available on the provision of financing for African smallholder farmers to purchase irrigation equipment such as pumps, pipes and drip irrigation systems. It sets the scene by first reviewing the literature on experiences with providing microcredit and other microfinance services as a poverty reduction strategy. Based on both case studies and several systematic reviews of the literature, it finds that the outcomes and impacts on poverty, gender equity and broader economic development are mixed at best. Microcredit is not a silver bullet solution to poverty, but it can often help poor households improve their lives. The paper then reviews the demand for and supply of financing for smallholders to purchase irrigation equipment. In surveys, farmers express a strong demand for equipment such as pumps, but often point to the lack of affordable and appropriately designed credit as a critical impediment to gaining access to such equipment. Even where microfinance institutions offer agricultural credit, it is usually short-term seasonal credit to purchase seeds and fertilizer. Credit on these terms is not useful to purchase equipment costing several hundred dollars. Focusing on programs specifically aimed at enabling farmers to purchase irrigation equipment, no credible detailed studies were found documenting the impacts and lessons learned. However, there are currently (as of 2018) numerous promising pilot studies and small projects offering a variety of approaches to enable smallholders to make such purchases. The paper reviews what information is available on these. A major recommendation of this paper is that a research project should be designed to carry out studies of these various experiments to identify what works under what conditions, as a basis for scaling out programs to offer financial services aimed at assisting smallholders to gain access to small-scale irrigation equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Rachel Utley, University of Leeds defense expert, is presented. Utley examines defense white paper released by the French government. She discusses the major implications of the defense white paper with regard to its effect on defense structure and capabilities. She also talks about its effect on large-scale procurement programs that had already been budgeted.

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper explores how the operations of an academy library got transfigured during closures due to COVID-19. The author offers tips on how to maintain access to resources, how to engage students in learning, and support academy staff. This paper reflect how the GEMS Modern Academy school library promoted reading during distance learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter 2 of the book "Stemming the Flow of Illicit Money: A Priority for Canada: Parliamentary Review of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act," by the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce is presented. It focuses on the release of a consultation paper titled "Enhancing Canada's Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime" by the Department of Finance. It outlines the proposed changes of the paper with regards to the act.

Objective: Some additives counteract the harshness and bitterness of the aerosols of tobacco and nicotine products (TNPs), making them easier to inhale. This is a problem for public health, as it may stimulate the uptake and continued use of TNPs, especially by young people. This paper provides a conceptual framework of the processes, mechanisms and methods for assessing inhalation facilitation (IF). Specific additives in TNPs that may promote IF are reviewed and their potential health impact discussed. Methods: A targeted (non-systematic) search of PubMed and other bibliographic sources with no restrictions on time period, up to September 2022, included terms related to IF processes (e.g. “harshness”, “puff duration”), candidate additives (e.g. “menthol”) or candidate mechanisms (e.g. “TRPM8 [transient receptor potential cation channel, family 8] receptor”). Inclusion of studies in the review was agreed by consensus by the two authors. Results: We defined IF as a modification to a TNP that improves the user’s sensory experience of inhaling the product’s aerosol (reduced bitterness and harshness) and may alter inhalation behaviour, particularly more intense inhalation (e.g. deeper puffs, faster inhalation, larger puff volume) and also restoration of breathing patterns that are disturbed by inhaled irritants. The review showed that: (a) menthol and synthetic coolants decrease the irritation caused by nicotine and other TNP aerosol constituents by activating TRPM8 and other receptors and may promote dependence in inexperienced users; (b) acid additives and sugars, which yield acids upon combustion, lower the “pH” of TNP aerosol, resulting in higher levels of protonated nicotine, which is perceived as less harsh than free-base nicotine and may increase blood nicotine levels; (c) sweet flavourings in e-cigarettes reduce perceptions of bitterness and may escalate use, although their effects on perceived harshness are inconclusive; (d) sugars in tobacco impart sweet flavour sensations, but limited industry-independent data preclude a strong conclusion for IF; (e) some effects of additives on IF are amplified in non-smokers and younger populations; and (f) studies should be conducted on inhalation behaviour. Conclusions: Several additives may facilitate inhalation of tobacco smoke and/or e-cigarette aerosol by improving the sensory experience. IF additives may increase nicotine blood levels, dependence and, in some cases, inhalation behaviour, especially in young people and non-smokers. Further research on the effects of TNP additives on sensory attributes and inhalation behaviour may provide useful evidence for regulatory policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the conclusion of a working paper that talks about the proposal of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) of pipelining the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) water distribution system on the Narmada River in Gujarat, India. It relays the reasons for Gujarat officials to consider the IWMI proposal. It mentions that pipeline-based lift irrigation systems require intensive management.

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents the issue on risk assessment policies in the paper by Millstone and colleagues. It states that the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) agrees on the need for risk assessment. However, it mentions the disparities among the practices of Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and text of Millstone including historical interaction between JECFA and CCRVDF.

The article focuses on the consideration given by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) on the committee paper which deals on the assessment of residues of veterinary medicinal products (VMP). It mentions that one of the comments of the Committee is on the way how such assessment can fit to JECFA's evaluation of the residues of veterinary drugs. It is also recommended by JECFA that appropriate tools should be developed.

An appendix of the website regarding the submissions made to the Department of Finance in response to the consultation paper entitled "Enhancing Canada's Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime" is presented.

An appendix of the website regarding the Department of Finance's Consultation Paper entitled "Enhancing Canada's Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime" is presented.

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper focuses on changes in migration from Ukraine to the Czech Republic as a result of the war events in East Ukraine especially in 2014-2015. It briefly summarises Ukrainian- Czech migration history and then concentrates upon non-asylum migration with respect to the events in Ukraine since 2014, the area of international protection and the migration of Czech compatriots from Ukraine to the Czech Republic. The article concludes that up to 2016 the armed conflict in Ukraine, despite its seriousness and destabilising consequences, did not distinctly effect changes in the migration situation in the Czech Republic, although the statistical data show increasing interest among Ukrainian citizens in permanent stay permits in the Czech Republic, acquisition of Czech citizenship and refugee status. Since 2015 Czech institutions have also assisted several hundred descendants of 19th-century settlers to Ukraine in moving to the Czech Republic. Despite these developments, at present, the overall numbers of incomers from Ukraine to the Czech Republic are predominantly influenced by economic contexts. Rather than migration, the citizens of Ukraine in the Czech Republic, members of the Ukrainian minority in the Czech Republic and the Czech compatriots in Ukraine reacted to the military situation in the form of social activities. To describe the situation, statistical sources are used in particular, while the paper does not cover short-term and illegal migrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public and school library collaboration offers mutually beneficial opportunities that became increasingly important during the global health crisis. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the collaborative efforts of the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main goal of the study is to highlight what constitutes collaboration, showcase collaborative strategies implemented and to assess the opportunities gained and challenges associated with executing these collaborative initiatives during the pandemic. This study is grounded in the Teacher and Librarian Collaboration (TLC) model and employed a mixed method research design to collect data from schools and librarians directly involved in collaborative activities. The findings revealed that public and school collaboration played an integral role in teaching and learning activities during the pandemic while also increasing awareness of the resources and services offered by the public library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the role of latest technologies in present day school libraries, possibilities for the future and how to show the application of Artificial Intelligence along with effective use of the latest multimedia facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enabling students to master the skills needed for lifelong learning is the mission of primary education, i.e. schools, therefore also school libraries. Developing and encouraging the habit of reading, understanding the read text and using library services, enabling young people to use information in all forms and on all media, are some of the basic tasks of the library. Today, the school library successfully performs its tasks and meets the requirements of the modern school. By working to improve the quality of teaching, the school librarian, by performing professional tasks during the entire schooling of students, enables the acquisition of functional knowledge and through extracurricular activities improves and contributes to the development of all student potential. In this way, the overall development of the child is supported. With the cooperation of school and public libraries, this task is accomplished more easily. The aim of this paper is to present a series of joint activities of the elementary school and public library. This cooperation allows students new ways of acquiring knowledge and skills, since in this form a correlation is created between librarians and students, as well as between librarians. This creates better communication and motivation among all participants, and the youngest and young users benefit the most. Multi-year cooperation is successfully implemented through various programs. The work shows joint activities, examples of good practice realized through the cooperation of school and public libraries, and among them we highlight the projects "Library - a place for learning" and "Digital citizen", educational - creative workshops with preschoolers and first-graders, which are realized every year on the occasion of Children's Week, the masquerade ball "On the Wings of Imagination - The Main Hero of a Book", which has been organized with younger students for ten years in a row, as well as the celebration of Francophonie Day through publication exhibitions and distinguished activities of students, teachers and librarians. Through such activities, we bring children closer to books, art and knowledge in general, motivate young users to develop a culture of reading and equip them for independent learning and lifelong education. Various extracurricular activities offer students, through the process of cooperation, new and modern learning methods, interactivity, and thus help students in developing their own attitudes, interests and critical thinking. Libraries, through creativity and innovation, become for young users places of entertainment and active spending of free time, places for work, knowledge, but also rest and communication. The library becomes a nursery of ideas, creativity and innovation. It is an unconventional carrier and source of information and knowledge. School librarians encourage creative processes and cooperation through the implementation of curricular and extracurricular activities, contributing to the education, development and improvement of their users. With the established plan and program of work, librarians have the opportunity to influence the acquisition of cultural habits and attitudes of students, as well as educational outcomes and the quality of knowledge, from the first contact of students with a book. The introduction of new modern methods of work in the library business, with the help of new modern entertainment and educational content, contributes to meeting not only educational, but also broader needs and interests of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"I read Little House on the Prairie when I was a child and it didn't make me racist", "the kids love Indian in the Cupboard", "it is our history we should include it and not censor". These are all sentiments expressed in librarian groups. How much of this sentiment is based on our own nostalgia for the books of our youth? If we were to engage in rereading these books that are of the childhood canon would we be so certain that we should engage our youth in experiencing these titles? Would we be defensive of arguments that these books need to be carefully curated and introduced to students? Or not introduced at all? Censorship and the recent attempts in the United States as a backlash to diversity, equity and inclusion practices tend toward simple solutions of complex conversations. Rereading childhood favorites may complicate the answers and bring nuance to a complex conversation. This paper examines one person's attempt to reckon with what the books of her youth taught her, while also opening discussion with practitioners about the impact of rereading on their own practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of CMR Working Papers is the property of Centre of Migration Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Koshi Basin, spread across China, Nepal and India, is perceived as having high potential for hydropower and irrigation development, both seen as ways to promote economic development in the region. As climate change (CC) is likely to impact future water resources, it is very important to consider CC in future planning. This paper quantifies and assesses the past and projected future spatial and temporal water balances in the Koshi Basin. A Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was set up, calibrated and validated using measured daily flow data from the basin from 1999 to 2006. The CC analysis is based on the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) "Representative Concentration Pathways" (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5). The delta change approach was used to generate daily future time series climate data for 2021-2050, considering historical data from 1998-2008 as reference. Results show that the annual average precipitation, actual evapotranspiration (ET) and net water yield for the reference period are 1,720 mm, 520 mm and 1,124 mm, respectively, with over 75% of precipitation and flow occurring during the monsoon season. The precipitation and net water yield are lowest in the transmountain region and the Tibetan plateau. The values are highest in the mountain region, followed by the hills and Indo-Gangetic Plains. Approximately 65% of average annual precipitation is converted to flows, indicating high water availability. Actual ET, which indicates water use by plants, is highest in the Indo-Gangetic Plains region due to the presence of irrigated agriculture and a few forested mountain watersheds. There is, therefore, a clear mismatch between the area where water availability is highest (mountains) and where water use is highest (Indo-Gangetic Plains). As most of the water from the mountain and hill regions eventually flows down to the plains, the mountain and hill regions in Nepal are important for maintaining agriculture in the plains in both Nepal and India. Flow analyses show that high-flow pulses (exceeding 75% of daily flows) occur two to five times annually and last for 2 to 20 days during the monsoon season. Extreme low flows occur two to nine times annually and last up to 25 days during the dry season. These results indicate the high temporal variability of flows in the basin. The information on these extreme weather events could be very useful in water-induced disaster management in this region, and also for planning longterm hydraulic structures. The frequent occurrences of both high- and low-flow events demonstrate the existing vulnerability of the region to both floods and droughts, leading to a very risk-prone livelihood system. The CC projections show an increasing trend in precipitation and net water yield for most of the basin, except the transmountain region. Actual ET also shows an increasing trend for both CC pathways (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5) throughout the basin. Comparison of flow ranges between the past and projected data indicates that future changes during the dry season are within the past data ranges. However, the future monsoon flows will be higher than the past as demonstrated by higher averages as well as maximum flows. An increasing trend is seen in the high-flow pulse frequency, and occurrences of high flows are shifting towards the latter part of the monsoon. Therefore, flooding occurrences in the monsoon are expected to increase with CC. Results also show that the seasonal variation in contribution to annual flow volume at the outlet of the Koshi Basin for the reference and future periods remained very similar, with over 75% of the total annual flow occurring within the monsoon season. Therefore, the monsoon will remain the main hydrological driver, variability will continue to be high, future dry seasons will be similar to the past dry seasons, and future monsoons will likely be stronger and wetter with increased flood risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water cooperation has received prominent focus in the post-2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While proposals for measuring water cooperation appear to be converging toward a small set of indicators, the degree to which these proposed indicators draw on past work is unclear. This paper mines relevant past work to generate guidance for monitoring the proposed SDG target related to transboundary water cooperation. Potential measures of water cooperation were identified, filtered and applied in three countries (Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe). Six indicators were ultimately determined as being suitable for measuring water cooperation. As the SDG process turns its focus to the selection of indicators, the indicators proposed in this paper may merit consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]