			Home About us Contact

Asian Developing Countries (asian + developing_country)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting	50%

Selected Abstracts

Persistent organochlorine residues and their bioaccumulation profiles in resident and migratory birds from North Vietnam

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2002
Tu Binh Minh
Abstract Concentrations of persistent organochlorines (OCs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 1 1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p -chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and chlordane compounds (CHLs), were determined in whole-body homogenates of resident and migratory birds collected from the Red River estuary, North Vietnam, during March and October 1997. Contamination pattern was in the order of DDTs > PCBs > HCHs > CHLs > HCB in both resident and migratory birds. Residue concentrations, according to the feeding habit, showed little variability, which may reflect relatively similar trophic levels of the bird species analyzed. Resident birds accumulated greater concentrations of DDTs as compared to migrants. In contrast, HCH residues were greater in migratory species. Higher proportions of p,p,-DDT to total DDT concentrations were found in many species of residents and migrants, indicating recent exposure to technical DDT in northern Vietnam. Congener-specific PCB analysis showed the predominance of penta- and hexachlorobiphenyls in all the species analyzed. Estimation of hepatic microsomal enzyme activities suggested higher metabolic capacity for PCB congeners in shore birds from Vietnam as compared to higher-trophic predator birds and marine mammals. Comparison of OC residues in avian species in Asia-Pacific revealed that DDT residues in resident birds in North Vietnam are among the highest values reported for the countries surveyed, suggesting recent usage of DDT in Vietnam. Available data for birds, fish, and bivalves from the recent Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program suggested that Vietnam might be a potential source of DDT contamination in Asian developing countries. To our knowledge, this is the first study of the OC accumulation in avian species from Vietnam. [source]

Male reproductive health research needs and research agenda: Asian and Pacific perspective

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue S2 2000
Yi-Fei Wang
Enhancing male reproductive health, and increasing men's participation in it, involves encouraging a range of positive reproductive health and social behaviour by men to help ensure women's and children's well-being. More intellectual work,including research programmes,is urgently needed to clarify the conceptual framework for male reproductive health. At the Asia and the Pacific Symposium ,Intra-regional Cooperation in Reproductive Health Research' (Shanghai, China, 12,13 October 1998) the Symposium participants identified regional research needs and recommended a regional reproductive health research agenda, which addresses six key issues related to male reproductive health: (i) male contraceptive technology; (ii) reproductive tract infections/sexually transmitted diseases and male infertility; (iii) male involvement in reproductive health; (iv) male adolescent reproductive health; (v) male reproductive ageing; and (vi) environment and male reproductive health. One of the major challenges now facing us is the elaboration of a comprehensive, yet realistic, male reproductive health research agenda that reflects the needs and demands of Asian developing countries. Making full use of an interdisciplinary approach is of strategic importance to achieve this. [source]

Sustainable consumption and production: Trends, challenges and options for the Asia-Pacific region

NATURAL RESOURCES FORUM, Issue 1 2010
Wei Zhao
Abstract This paper highlights current trends in consumption and production patterns in Asian developing countries and emerging economies. It describes the main challenges and opportunities for Asian countries making the transition towards sustainable consumption and production patterns. The main challenge for Asian economies is to address the unsustainable consumption patterns of urban consumers, which entails a policy shift from the current focus on pollution and inefficient industrial production. In view of future consumption trends and the global convergence of consumption patterns, the characteristics of the emerging ,global consumer class' are examined, with particular focus on urban ecological footprints and carbon emissions. Furthermore, the difference between urban and rural consumption is discussed, together with opportunities for low-carbon urban development in the megacities of Asian developing countries. To conclude, the paper presents an overview of current policy measures taken in Asian countries to green economic development and realise sustainable consumption and production patterns. [source]

Infrastructure policy in Asian developing countries

ASIAN-PACIFIC ECONOMIC LITERATURE, Issue 1 2010
Peter McCawley
The urgent need for very large increases in investment in infrastructure in most developing countries in Asia is very clear. This paper surveys the challenges facing policymakers in the region. Nearly all of the main concerns for policymakers in Asia in addressing the global infrastructure imbalance are on the supply side. In particular, there are seven related supply-side issues that are of high priority for policymakers: selection and preparation of appropriate projects, finance, pricing, access, governance and management, policy and regulatory policies, and climate change. Governments and utilities need to improve their policies and performance to build confidence among stakeholders. Access to infrastructure services needs to be improved so that consumers will support realistic pricing policies, and investors will be encouraged to provide finance for infrastructure sectors. [source]

Enhancing Public Accountability for Developing Countries: Major Constraints and Strategies

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Issue 2009
Pan Suk Kim
Many Asian countries are attempting to promote public accountability as a part of public-sector reform, but their situation remains unsatisfactory compared to advanced countries. Except for a few, many Asian developing countries are still struggling with political and socioeconomic weaknesses. Indeed, the nature of public sector reform in many Asian developing countries differs substantially from that of advanced countries. Furthermore, the concept of accountability is not interpreted equally throughout the world. Accordingly, the purpose of this article is to review the major constraints to enhancing public accountability in Asian developing countries and to discuss major strategies to promote such accountability from the perspective of developing countries. This article first reviews the concept of accountability and its development, followed by discussion of constraints in enhancing public accountability and public sector reform, key measures to enhance public accountability, and implications and conclusions. [source]