The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

This paper focuses on the 1995 Latin American and 1997 East Asian crises using an insurance-based model of financial crises. First the model of Dooley (forthcoming) is described.Second, some empirical evidence for an insurance model is presented. The key variables in this approach include the ratio of foreign exchange reserves to bank loans (domestic credit) extended to the private sector, the ability of the private sector to appropriate government assets, and appropriation as measured by capital flight. We argue that the insurance model is consistent with the observed evolution of these variables in the recent crises in Latin America and Asia. Finally, we examine the statistical evidence in favor of the model using panel regressions. We find that the econometric results are consistent with the insurance model, and tend to support this approach over some competing explanations.

Background: Fetal weight estimation is of utmost need to determine the course of labour and complications for its management. This study intents to compare the fetal weight determined through Johnson’s method and Hadlock’s method with actual birth weight in term pregnancies. Methods: This is an observational study carried out over a period of six months in Kirtipur Hospital among 200 samples of term, singleton pregnancy with cephalic presentation using convenience sampling technique.Results: The mean maternal age was 25.9±4.3 years whereas mean gestational age was 39.1 weeks. Less than half (49.1%) of the babies’ weight ranged between 3.0 - 3.5 kgs. The mean error of estimated weight by Johnson’s method was less compared to Hadlock’s method 185.1±191.1 grams and 355.8±225.7 grams respectively. It was also observed that estimation of fetal weight by Johnson’s method was closer to the actual birth weight than by Hadlock’s method.Conclusions: Johnson’s method requires some basic skills and knowledge with flexibility to apply as and where needed beyond the health facilities irrespective of the availability of the equipment. Furthermore, it was also observed to be slightly more specific in its estimation of birth weight among the term pregnancies compared to Hadlock’s method. Hence, it should be promoted widely among the clinicians. However, Hadlock’s method is equally important for detection of anomalies and high-risk factors coupled with confirmation of the estimation made through Johnson’s method.Keywords: Actual birth weight; estimated fetal weight; hadlock’s method; johnson’s method.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of detecting precancerous cervical cells, via a visual inspection of the cervix and an application of acetic acid (VIA) with the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear,to screen for cervical cancer in resource poor countries.Methods: The study involved 189 women between the ages of 30-60 years, who attended the Gynaecological Out Patient Department at Kirtipur hospital from 1st December 2014 to 31st March 2015. A VIA and Pap smear was done in all women, with cervical biopsies conducted in VIA positive women.Results: Themajority of these women were in the age range of 30-39 years, non-smokers, housewives, multipara and non-users of contraception. Of the tested group 8 (4.2%) had a history of post coital bleeding, 64 (21.2%) presented with lower abdominal pain, 64 (33.9%) presented with suspected abnormal vaginal discharge and 34 (17.98%) with dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Out of 189 women the VIA was positive in 5 (2.62%) and a Pap smear was positive in 2 (1.1%). Bycomparison to a Pap smear the VIA has an accuracyof 100%, specificity 98.4%, positive predictive value 40% and negative predictive value 100%.Conclusions: A visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid performed by a qualified physician is a suitable alternative for precancerous cell screening in low resource settings.