Perspectives of people in Mali toward genetically-modified mosquitoes for malaria control

Background: Genetically-modified (GM) mosquitoes have been proposed as part of an integrated vector control strategy for malaria control. Public acceptance is essential prior to field trials, particularly since mosquitoes are a vector of human disease and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) face strong scepticism in developed and developing nations. Despite this, in sub-Saharan Africa, where the GM mosquito effort is primarily directed, very little data is available on perspectives to GMOs. Here, results are presented of a qualitative survey of public attitudes to GM mosquitoes for malaria control in rural and urban areas of Mali, West Africa between the months of October 2008 and June 2009. Methods: The sample consisted of 80 individuals - 30 living in rural communities, 30 living in urban suburbs of Bamako, and 20 Western-trained and traditional health professionals working in Bamako and Bandiagara. Questions were asked about the cause of malaria, heredity and selective breeding. This led to questions about genetic alterations, and acceptable conditions for a release of pest-resistant GM corn and malaria-refractory GM mosquitoes. Finally, participants were asked about the decision-making process in their community. Interviews were transcribed and responses were categorized according to general themes. Results: Most participants cited mosquitoes as one of several causes of malaria. The concept of the gene was not widely understood; however selective breeding was understood, allowing limited communication of the concept of genetic modification. Participants were open to a release of pest-resistant GM corn, often wanting to conduct a trial themselves. The concept of a trial was reapplied to GM mosquitoes, although less frequently. Participants wanted to see evidence that GM mosquitoes can reduce malaria prevalence without negative consequences for human health and the environment. For several participants, a mosquito control programme was preferred; however a transgenic release that satisfied certain requirements was usually acceptable. Conclusions: Although there were some dissenters, the majority of participants were pragmatic towards a release of GM mosquitoes. An array of social and cultural issues associated with malaria, mosquitoes and genetic engineering became apparent. If these can be successfully addressed, then social acceptance among the populations surveyed seems promising

Spartan Daily, March 10, 1980

Volume 74, Issue 27https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/6594/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily, March 10, 1980

Volume 74, Issue 27https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/6594/thumbnail.jp

Exploring the implications of cultural context for design for sustainable behaviour

In this thesis the opportunities for designing products that are less resource intensive during use, in different cultural contexts is investigated. The research was divided into four phases: an extensive literature review, an online scoping study, an intensive qualitative study on laundry behaviours, and an international design competition. The research drew on the background of design for sustainable behaviour, a relatively new field of enquiry concerned with reducing the social and environmental impacts of products during their use. Despite the increasing development of theories to change user behaviour through design, there is a lack of understanding of how different cultural contexts affect behaviour. An extensive literature review established the current thinking on culture, development, and behaviour. The diverse nature of everyday household behaviour from different cultures and the effect it has on household resource consumption was uncovered and was investigated further in an online scoping study. In the study, participants from the UK, Brazil and India answered questions related to the themes of food, water, energy, materials and government schemes. The findings helped to highlight the differences in household behaviours and led to more detailed investigation of laundry behaviours in three sites in the UK, Brazil and India using in-context interviews, observations and household tours. From these findings a series of culturally significant and culturally independent factors were established that can aid designers in understanding behaviours in a given context. A set of design guidelines were also created to facilitate the design of less resource intensive products during use. These were then tested with designers in an international design competition answering a brief to design a less resource intensive laundry process. The research suggested a range of benefits for designers studying other cultures. The guidelines and cultural factors created can help designers to build empathy with users in a given context and boost creative thinking for more sustainable solutions. The research also offered insights into the possibility of, and application for, transferring behaviours between contexts as well as a new understanding of the aspirations of consumers in emerging markets, which could support other theories of sustainable development, such as leapfrogging

Cost of preventing workplace heat-related illness through worker breaks and the benefit of climate-change mitigation

The exposure of workers to hot environments is expected to increase as a result of climate change. In order to prevent heat-related illness, it is recommended that workers take breaks during working hours. However, this would lead to reductions in worktime and labor productivity. In this study, we estimate the economic cost of heat-related illness prevention through worker breaks associated with climate change under a wide range of climatic and socioeconomic conditions. We calculate the worktime reduction based on the recommendation of work/rest ratio and the estimated future wet bulb glove temperature, which is an index of heat stresses. Corresponding GDP losses (cost of heat-related illness prevention through worker breaks) are estimated using a computable general equilibrium model throughout this century. Under the highest emission scenario, GDP losses in 2100 will range from 2.6 to 4.0% compared to the current climate conditions. On the other hand, GDP losses will be less than 0.5% if the 2.0 °C goal is achieved. The benefit of climate-change mitigation for avoiding worktime loss is comparable to the cost of mitigation (cost of the greenhouse gas emission reduction) under the 2.0 °C goal. The relationship between the cost of heat-related illness prevention through worker breaks and global average temperature rise is approximately linear, and the difference in economic loss between the 1.5 °C goal and the 2.0 °C goal is expected to be approximately 0.3% of global GDP in 2100. Although climate mitigation and socioeconomic development can limit the vulnerable regions and sectors, particularly in developing countries, outdoor work is still expected to be affected. The effectiveness of some adaptation measures such as additional installation of air conditioning devices or shifting the time of day for working are also suggested. In order to reduce the economic impacts, adaptation measures should also be implemented as well as pursing ambitious climate change mitigation targets

Workers’ Voices: The situation of women in the Eastern European and Turkish garment industries

05_Workers_Voices.pdf: 256 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

Internationalization through B2C e-commerce : a comparison and evaluation of the market attractiveness in selected countries for a fashion and lifestyle company

TM Collection, a premium clothing and lifestyle company, desires to grow internationally to raise sales. The relative business attractiveness is most attractive for the business unit B2C e-commerce. Currently, TM Collection is not fully exploiting its opportunities to generate sales in this business unit. Marketing activities to raise awareness of its online shop have been focused on several countries. However, TM Collection would like to know which countries bear the most potential for focusing its marketing activities. The following countries were considered in this evaluation: Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, the United States, Japan and Australia. The study contains an analysis of relevant criteria for market selection. The literature on international market selection confirms that the macro and micro environment need to be evaluated as well as the product and distribution-channel specific characteristics and the current market presence. These criteria have been applied with different weights to TM Collection´s needs and a market research was performed. The country which has most potential within these criteria is by far the United States, followed by France. Italy and Japan are attractive as well. Portugal, Spain and Australia are least attractive.A TM Collection é uma empresa de vestuário e estilo de vida de qualidade superior que pretende internacionalizar-se de forma a aumentar as suas vendas. A atratividade do negócio é desta forma superior através da unidade de negócio B2C e-commerce. Atualmente, a TM Collection não está a explorar as oportunidades disponíveis para o crescimento das vendas nesta unidade de negócio. As atividades de marketing para sensibilizar o mercado relativamente à existência da loja online têm sido desenvolvidas em vários países. Contudo a empresa gostaria de ter conhecimento dos países com maior potencial para o desenvolvimento das suas atividades de marketing. Desta forma, os seguintes países foram considerados para avaliação: Portugal, Itália, Espanha, França, Estados Unidos da América, Japão e Austrália. Este estudo contém uma análise dos critérios relevantes para a seleção de mercado. A literatura relativa à seleção de mercado internacional confirma que é necessário avaliar o ambiente micro e macro, as características especificas do produto e dos canais de distribuição, bem como a atual presença de mercado. Diferentes ponderações foram aplicadas aos critérios mencionados de acordo com as necessidades da TM Collection. Posteriormente um estudo de mercado foi realizado. Desta forma, o país com maior potencial de acordo com os critérios mencionados é os Estados Unidos, seguindo-se a França. A Itália e o Japão foram também considerados atrativos. Contudo, Portugal, a Espanha e a Austrália foram considerados os menos atrativos