AN ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING REPATRIATION OF AFGHAN REFUGEES FROM PAKISTAN

Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for almost four decades. These refugees are a burden on resources of country, hence Pakistan introduced repatriation of refugees with assistance of humanitarian organizations, but desired success not yet achieved. This study focused on "An analysis of economic factors influencing repatriation of the Afghan refugees from Pakistan”, therefore, utilized cross-sectional design to measure association between economic factors and expatriation. Study applied quantitative survey method to collect data through questionnaire. The simple random technique used to approach samples in population. Variables measured by the items selected from four different instruments. Data were analyzed with regression using SmartPLS. The results explored that productivity, labour market integration and access to shelter as indicators of economic factors for Afghan refugees in Pakistan are significantly associated with expatriation in presence of the mediating variable (economic well-being). Hence, a pull force of economic factors in Pakistan attracts them to stay in host country and avoid repatriation to homeland.

The Experience of Emerging Adulthood Among Street-Involved Youth

The Experience of Emerging Adulthood Among Street-Involved Youth tells the story of young people who were street-involved from their early to middle teens and into their 20s, particularly their experiences of emerging adulthood while struggling toward young adulthood and independence. These youth experienced emerging and early adulthood earlier than other youth while living independently of guardians, detached from formal education, and working in the underground economy. After leaving their guardians they were choosing how to be different than their family, learning to cope with instability, and enjoying and protecting their independence, and they experienced some satisfaction with their ability to manage. As one youth stated, “away from my family, I learned that I was not stupid.” Their success was facilitated by harm reduction services, like access to shelter and food, that gave them time to experiment with living independently and to practice being responsible for themselves and others. Later they began to prefer nonstreet identities, and they began to think about their desires for the future. The distance between their current lives and those aspirations was the experience of feeling “in-between,” and progress toward their aspirations was often complicated by past experiences of trauma, current experiences of exclusion, coping with substances, and the mismatch between their needs and available services.

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua save energy on stone reefs: implications for the attraction versus production debate in relation to reefs

Reefs are structurally complex habitats that are degraded in numerous coastal areas. Structural complexity is often associated with elevated fish abundance, and recent studies have indicated that such structural complexity (e.g. reefs) not only acts as a fish aggregator, but also increases fish production. The objective of this study was to advance this knowledge by investigating if an underlying mechanism of the observed productivity is related to reduced metabolic rates (proxy for energy use) of fish in reef habitats. Using juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, we tested the hypothesis that fish energy use differs between fish occupying stone reef and sand bottom habitats. Metabolic rate (MO2) was estimated using intermittent flow respirometry in simulated stone reef and sand bottom habitats over 24 h. Results revealed that G. morhua in the stone reef habitat exhibited significantly reduced accumulated MO2 compared to G. morhua in the sand bottom habitat. Likewise, there was a tendency for lower mean standard metabolic rates of the fish in stone reefs, although this pattern was not statistically significant. There are many mechanisms that may underpin elevated productivity in structurally complex habitats such as reefs, including better access to shelter and increased food availability. Our study adds to these mechanisms by showing that G. morhua save energy when occupying stone reefs as compared to sandy bottoms, energy which may be allocated to somatic and gonadal growth.

'Patterns and causes of marsupial paths in subalpine Tasmania

Animal paths can improve connectivity of species, alter vegetation growth, reduce fuel loads and further our knowledge of the behavioural ecology of mammals. Path patterning and the motivations for path creation are not well understood. The present study tested the hypotheses that animals form paths: (i) to efficiently move between palatable patches; (ii) for access to water; (iii) for access to shelter and (iv) to avoid predators. We used high-definition aerial online imagery to map paths in five treeless subalpine environments in Tasmania. Surveys of vegetation and scat counts were conducted at each site. We found that locality influenced wallaby scat density and that macropods and wombats created direct paths to move between areas of palatable vegetation, shelter and water. There was some weak indication of predator avoidance in some of the patterning. However, shelter from cold, strong southwesterly winds is a feasible alternative motivation for the patterns.

Shelters can negatively affect growth and welfare in lumpfish if feed is delivered continuously

Due to the socioeconomic importance of salmon farming in the North Atlantic and the economic impact of sea lice in this industry, there is high demand for novel pest control methods. One such method is the use of cleaner fish to remove the lice from the salmon. A cleaner fish that has recently gained in popularity due to its ability to work in cold water, is the lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus). This fish varies in efficiency, but when mortality is low and cleaning optimal, the fish are successful in keeping parasite burdens low. However, there is some concern for the welfare of lumpfish in the industry, because mortality is often high. This is sometimes attributed to inadequate feeding and shelter. Here we compare growth, body condition, and fin health of fish reared for four weeks in a crossed treatment design crossing shelter availability (shelter vs none) and feed delivery method (manual meal time feeds and continuous automated feeding). In terms of weight gain, shelter availability interacted with feeding method, with fish that had access to shelters and were fed using automated feeders gaining less weight than other fish. Fin health was not affected, but body condition was lowered both by access to shelter and being fed continuously. The results indicate a need to carefully consider how feeding method and shelter use is combined, both in cages and during rearing on land.

Longitudinal variability in lateral hydrologic connectivity shapes fish occurrence in temporary floodplain ponds

Dynamic flow regimes maintain critical connections between main channel and adjacent floodplain habitats that provide fish access to shelter, foraging, and spawning opportunities. Our study advances the understanding of these processes by exploring the importance of coupled longitudinal–lateral connectivity for determining species occurrence in headwater streams of the Amazon. Using a multispecies occupancy model, we revealed a clear pattern of species addition in the downstream direction in temporary floodplain ponds, associated with changes in the pool of potential colonists present in the channel and with increasing lateral hydrologic connectivity. Species that are more tolerant of stagnant waters and those able to disperse in shallow habitats (e.g., Anablepsoides micropus) occurred frequently in ponds along the entire longitudinal extent, whereas those species preferring lotic habitats were present only in the most downstream sites. We also observed increasing similarity of pond and channel communities with distance downstream. This study provides insights on the spatial structuring of tropical fish communities in response to flood-induced hydrologic connectivity and further highlights the vulnerability of floodplain fishes to modification in flooding regimes.

Internally displaced families in Khartoum-Sudan: challenges and policy implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how internally displaced families in Khartoum-Sudan face difficulties and challenges in meeting their basic needs of shelter and health when they are displaced from their homes. By using empirical data, the factors that hinder families in getting access to shelter and health provision and how they survive with few facilities provided to them will be discussed. The paper will also highlight the role of the state in the situation of the displaced families and the services provided to them. Design/methodology/approach Various methods were used in the research, among them were interviews and focus-group discussions. Interviews were conducted with children aged 10-18 years. A sample of 129 children from four camps was selected, and parents or guardians of the children were interviewed. The theoretical section on what is displacement and how displaced people meet their basic needs and rights gives a background on how displaced families in Sudan survive and struggle to meet their health and shelter rights. Findings The basic needs for the displaced families were not met, and if they were met, it would have led to better living conditions, stability and security for these people. The paper concludes with some recommendations. Originality/value The state should meet the basic needs and rights of the internally displaced people. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that health and shelter are provided to displaced people.