Background Numerous studies with varying associations between domestic use of solid biomass fuels (wood, dung, crop residue, charcoal) and respiratory diseases have been reported. Objective To present the current data systematically associating use of biomass fuels with respiratory outcomes in rural women and children. Methods Systematic searches were conducted in 13 electronic databases. Data were abstracted from original articles that satisfied selection criteria for meta-analyses. Publication bias and heterogeneity of samples were tested. Studies with common diagnoses were analysed using random-effect models. Results A total of 2717 studies were identified. Fifty-one studies were selected for data extraction and 25 studies were suitable for meta-analysis. The overall pooled ORs indicate significant associations with acute respiratory infection in children (OR 3.53, 95% CI 1.94 to 6.43), chronic bronchitis in women (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.88 to 3.38) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women (OR 2.40, 95% CI

BackgroundThe dimensions along which mortality is patterned in India remains unclear. We examined the specific contribution of social castes, household income, assets, and monthly per capita consumption to mortality differentials in India.Methods and FindingsCross-sectional data on 217 363 individuals from 41 554 households from the 2004–2005 India Human Development Survey was analyzed using multiple logistic regressions. Mortality differentials across social castes were attenuated after adjusting for household economic factors such as income and assets. Individuals living in the lowest income and assets quintiles had an increased risk of mortality with odds ratio (OR) of 1.66 (95% CI  = 1.23–2.24) in the bottom income quintile and OR of 2.94 (95% CI  = 1.66–5.22) in the bottom asset quintile. Counter-intuitively, individuals living in households with lowest monthly consumption per capita had significantly lower probability of death (OR  = 0.27, 95% CI  = 0.20–0.38).ConclusionsMortality burden in India is largely patterned on economic dimensions as opposed to caste dimensions, though caste may play an important role in predicting economic opportunities.

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Abstract:In this paper, we present the Inter-Institutional Gap (IIG) framework as a novel approach to conceptualizing the often-overlooked interconnectivity of different rule-levels between formal and informal institutions in a natural resource system. This framework goes beyond the existing concepts of legal pluralism, institutional void, structural hole, and cultural mismatch, each of which offer valuable insights to particular gaps between formal and informal institutions, but do not sufficiently address the interaction at every rule level (i.e. constitutional choice, collective choice and operational choice rules). In order to demonstrate the potential of our framework for better understanding the underlying causes of inter-institutional gaps, we apply it to four case studies that encompass diverse geographical locations, governance levels, and social-ecological systems. Results reveal that institutional gaps tend to exist when there are unintended, unforeseen or hidden gaps between the different rule levels operating among the different institutions involved in governing a single resource system. More specifically we observe that: (i) inter-institutional gaps are co-existing, therefore if a certain gap is identified, other gaps may be expected; (ii) certain gaps may reveal latent gaps; and (iii) intermediaries may be key to addressing inter-institutional gaps. In many cases, sustainable natural resource management and regulation cannot be achieved without directly addressing the inter-institutional gaps that exist between formal and informal institutions operating in the same resource system. The framework facilitates analysis and understanding of multi-level governance structures in pursuit of addressing complex natural resource management issues.

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Kabeer's social relations approach examines gender dynamics through scrutinizing de facto rules and practices of social and formal institutions based on actors' core values and assumptions. It recognizes there are structural causes that reproduce social inequalities; that institutions are not independent from one another; where changes in policy or practice from one level can cause changes in the rules and norms of another level; and that institutions evolve (Kabeer, 1994). Beyond focusing on the separate roles and capabilities of different genders, the social relations approach underscores development as increased human well-being. Access theory complements the social relations approach when examining local institutions and gendered access to land resources. Some gender studies have conceptualized access as "the opportunity to make use of a resource", whereas control depicts "the power to decide how a resource is used, and who has access to it" (March et al., 1999, p. 19). Ribot and Peluso (2003) broaden the definition of access from the usufructary right to benefit from resources to "the ability to benefit" from resources (p. 153). Recognizing the majority of semi-subsistence women do not have formal ownership of land in Kenya (Nyamu-Musembi, 2008), we use access theory to examine the alternative strategies that Kamba women use. Ribot and Peluso theorize that "access is about all possible means" (p. 157) to benefit from resources. Besides women's right-based mechanisms, access theory considers strategies that occur among "a larger array of institutions, social and political-economic relations, and discursive strategies that shape benefit flows" (Ribot and Peluso, 2003, p. 157).

COVID-19 has revealed new tensions and exacerbated old fragilities in global food systems, characterised by the systemic socioeconomic reliance on invisible, unpaid and devalued work. We argue that, in the same way environmental concerns have become integral to the Sustainable Food Systems agenda, a social reproduction approach, informed by geographies of care, are essential for a critical analysis and the search for alternatives. By linking analytical concepts to examples from social movements, the commentary calls for a paradigm shift and a new research agenda involving these critical perspectives on resilient and sustainable food systems. RÉSUMÉLa pandémie de COVID-19 a révélé de nouvelles tensions et exacerbé d'anciennes fragilités dans les systèmes alimentaires mondiaux. Celles-ci se caractérisent par une dépendance socio-économique systémique à un travail invisibilisé, non-payé, et dévalué. Des préoccupations environnementales sont devenues partie intégrale du programme de Systèmes Alimentaires Durables. Nous postulons que, similairement, une perspective de reproduction sociale, fondée sur des géographies de care, est essentielle à la formulation d'une analyse critique et à la recherche d'alternatives. En connectant des concepts analytiques aux exemples tirés des mouvements sociaux, ce commentaire appelle à l'adoption d'un changement de paradigme et d'un nouveau programme de recherche qui tiendrait compte de ces perspectives critiques sur des systèmes alimentaires robustes et durables.

Understanding the dynamics of agricultural expansion, their drivers, and interactions is critical for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem-services provision, and the future sustainability of agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is limited understanding of the drivers of agricultural expansion. A systematic review of the drivers of agricultural expansion was conducted from 1970 to 2020 using Web of Science, Elsevier Scopus and Google Scholar. Two researchers reviewed the papers separately based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fifteen papers were included in the final systematic review. The paper proposed expansion pathways in a conceptual framework and identified proximate and underlying drivers. Population dynamics and government policies were found to be key underlying drivers of agricultural expansion. The proximate drivers include economic opportunities such as agriculture mechanisation and cash crops production, and more troubling trends such as soil fertility decline and climate change and variability. This paper further explores the constraints that have been found to slow down agricultural expansion, including strong land institutions and good governance.