Dynamics of agrarian landscapes in Western Thailand : Agro-ecological zonation and agricultural transformations in Kanjanaburi Province: hypotheses for improving farming systems sustainability

Ce document traite de la zonation agroécologique à petite échelle, comme outil essentiel dans la recherche orientée sur les systèmes agraires en vue du développement. Ces systèmes sont définis comme modes d'exploitation adaptés à l'environnement (naturel et humain) y compris échanges de produit et patrimoine culturel; l'étude comprend systèmes de production et de culture, et types d'utilisation des sols. Les diverses relations entre éléments sont analysées dans l'espace et le temps de façon à dégager la dynamique des transformations. Le projet a fait intervenir des équipes pluridisciplinaires comprenant agronomes et spécialistes des ressources naturelles en sociologie et télédétection; le tout aux niveaux de la parcelle et de l'exploitation agricole. Le texte, qui comporte un glossaire technique précis, est illustré de six clichés en couleurs (cultures de maïs, cotonnier, manioc, manguiers) et d'une image digitale en couleurs d'une partie de l'ouest de la Thaïlande vue du satellite Landsat-T

An old problem with a new therapy: gastrointestinal bleeding in ventricular assist device patients and deep overtube-assisted enteroscopy.

Conventional algorithms for diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in patients with nonpulsatile ventricular assist devices (VADs) may take days to perform while patients require transfusions. We developed a new algorithm based on deep overtube-assisted enteroscopy (DOAE) to facilitate a rapid diagnosis and treatment. From 2004 to 2012, 84 patients who underwent VAD placement in our institution, were evaluated for episodes of GIB. Our new algorithm for the management of GIB using DOAE was evaluated by dividing the episodes into three groups: group A (traditional management without enteroscopy), group B (traditional management with enteroscopy performed \u3e24 hours after presentation), and group C (new management algorithm with enteroscopy performedpresentation). Gastrointestinal bleeding was observed in 14 (17%) of our study patients for a total of 45 individual episodes of which 28 met our criteria for subanalysis. Forty-one (84%) lesions were confined to the upper gastrointestinal tract with more than 91% of these lesions being arteriovenous malformations. Average number of transfusions in groups A, B, and C were 4.1, 6.3, and 1.3, respectively (p = 0.001). The number of days to treatment was significantly shorter in group C than group B (0.4 vs. 5.3 days, p = 0.0002). Our new algorithm for the management of GIB using DOAE targets the most common locations of bleeding found in this patient population. When performed early, DOAE has the potential to decrease the need for transfusions and allow for an early diagnosis of GIB in VAD recipients

Participatory modeling for managing rainfed lowland rice variety and seed systems in lower Northeast Thailand : methodology and preliminary findings

Rainfed lowland rice varietal and seed management involves a complex system dealing with problems such as variety adoption, biodiversity, and the supply of good-quality seed. Participatory modeling of rainfed lowland rice varietal and seed management in lower northeast Thailand has been carried out to better understand the seed system and identify problems. Conceptual modeling was done through interinstitutional research team meetings, stakeholder analysis, surveying stratified random sampling of farmers and seed supply agents in Ubon Ratchathani Province, and conducting role-playing games (RPGs). The seed system was divided into three subsystems: farmers' decision-making related to rice varieties, farmers' management of seeds, and the whole existing seed supply system. A first RPG representing the first two subsystems was used at two different locations with 25 farmers. The initial findings from the RPG helped to validate and improve the conceptual model and provide a common understanding of farmers' rice varietal and seed management. Problems of limited access to or sharing of information about varieties and seed, the need for early-maturing varieties, and the scarcity of good-quality seeds were identified. A second RPG will deal with the whole seed supply system. A more comprehensive analysis of the RPG results with those of the farm survey will be done to improve the conceptual models, together with developing a multi-agent model representing the whole rainfed lowland rice seed system. (Résumé d'auteur

A study of policies governing the employment of part-time professional nurses in hospitals

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Intelligence within BAOR and NATO's Northern Army Group

During the Cold War the UK's principal military role was its commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) through the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), together with wartime command of NATO's Northern Army Group. The possibility of a surprise attack by the numerically superior Warsaw Pact forces ensured that great importance was attached to intelligence, warning and rapid mobilisation. As yet we know very little about the intelligence dimension of BAOR and its interface with NATO allies. This article attempts to address these neglected issues, ending with the impact of the 1973 Yom Kippur War upon NATO thinking about warning and surprise in the mid-1970s. It concludes that the arrangements made by Whitehall for support to BAOR from national assets during crisis or transition to war were - at best - improbable. Accordingly, over the years, BAOR developed its own unique assets in the realm of both intelligence collection and special operations in order to prepare for the possible outbreak of conflict

The use of vetiver for soil erosion prevention in cassava fields in Thailand

Abstract: Cassava is a crop that induces high rates of soil erosion, especially if grown in sloping sandy soils. The joint research of the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), the Department of Agriculture (DOA), and Kasetsart University (KU) revealed that adjustments in planting methods or planting systems could reduce soil erosion. Each method has certain advantages and disadvantages. While some methods give extra income, others need more management or higher investments; thus it is not certain whether farmers would adopt any of these methods.Therefore, CIAT in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) and DOA initiated a project, entitled “Enhancing the Adoption of Soil Erosion Control Practices in Cassava Fields ” in order to work with cassava farmers, using a Farmer Participatory Research (FPR) approach. During the first phase (1994-98) of the project. two pilot sites were selected at Soeng Saang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, and in Wang Sombuun district of Sra Kaew province. FPR trials on methods to reduce soil erosion were conducted for three consecutive years. After narrowing down the number of suitable options, farmers in both sites finally selected and adopted the contour strip cropping of cassava with vetiver hedgerows. They also requested furthe

Maize in Thailand: Production Systems, Constraints, and Research Priorities

This is one of a series of seven in-depth country studies on maize production systems in Asia, funded by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It is part of a project designed to promote sustainable intensification of maize production systems while ensuring equitable income growth and improved food security, especially for poor households that depend on maize. Maize is one of five major crops grown in the uplands of Thailand, along with rice, cassava, sugar cane, and rubber trees. Government-promoted crop diversification, increased population growth, improved transportation networks, inter national trade, expansion of upland farming areas, and increased demand for grains from the domestic livestock and poultry industry stimulated Thailand�s maize production beginning in the 1980s. However, Thailand�s domestic maize supply is currently not sufficient to meet the needs of its in-country demands, and small quantities have to be imported. Rapid economic growth and accelerated urbanization are expected to create an even higher demand for maize in Thailand. This trend will lead to the intensification of current maize production systems, with more land being shifted to maize production, particularly in marginal areas. Thailand�s challenge is to produce more maize for an expanding market, while preserving the natural resource base and the environment through careful agricultural planning. Effective policy design and implementation must be based on comprehensive, accurate data on the current state of maize-based farming systems. This study characterized the social and biophysical maize production environment of Thailand; examined its response to increasing maize demand; determined constraints to future productivity growth; indicated the potential envir onmental consequences, and examined the options available for promoting sustainable growth in maize production.Crop Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Adoption and Income Effects of Public GAP Standards: Evidence from the Horticultural Sector in Thailand

To reduce potential food hazards and increase the image of Thai horticultural products abroad, the Thai government introduced public standards of Good Agricultural Practices (Q-GAP). What makes orchid and mango producers in Thailand adopt Q-GAP standards and how do these affect their income and export shares? Primary data from 400 certified and non-certified orchid and mango producers was collected from main exporting provinces in Thailand. The binary probit model estimations show that it is the orchid and mango producers with higher education, and more physical and social capital who tend to comply with Q-GAP standards. Results from the Propensity Score Matching approach reveal that adoption of public GAP standards results in positive income effects for mango producers, but not for orchid producers. This can be explained by the fact that certified mango producers can sell their products to high-value retail chains which offer higher prices for their products, while certified and non-certified orchid producers cooperate with traders from the same value chain

In vivo effect of FK506 on human pancreatic islets

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effect of FK506 on human pancreatic islets. Twenty-five nude mice were made diabetic by one intravenous injection of streptozotocin. Approximately 600 islets were administered in the renal subcapsular space 3-5 days following streptozotocin administration. One week after transplantation, the mice were divided in four groups. In group 1, the animals received 1 injection of 0.5 ml of diluent i.p. daily for one week. In groups 2, 3, and 4 the treatments were daily i.p. injection of 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg FK506, respectively. After treatment, the functional integrity of the transplanted human islets was tested by measuring the plasma glucose and human C-peptide response to intraperitoneal glucose injection in groups 1 and 4. IPGTT alone was assessed in groups 2 and 3. The results indicate that i.p. administration of FK506 for one week at a dose 0.3 mg/kg/day did not result in any significant alteration of glucose disappearance and C-peptide response to IPGTT. Higher doses of FK506 produced a significant delay in glucose disappearance in groups 3 and 4, and a significant inhibition of glucose-mediated C-peptide response in group 4. © 1991 by Williams and Wilkins