The role of marketing initiatives in rural development

This paper was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference of the Colloquium of Organic Researchers (COR). European rural policy faces economic, environmental and demographic challenges. Its recent development has shifted emphasis towards agri-environmental schemes and support for organic farming, refinement of structural funding programmes, and Community Initiatives such as LEADER. At the same time, a transformation and refinement in consumer demand for food is leading to greater market emphasis on the health, environmental conservation and ethical qualities of products. An appropriate alignment of marketing systems, taking advantage of these trends, could also potentially benefit development in rural areas, with both economic and broader implications. This paper presents a framework for the study of organic marketing initiatives (OMIs), their interaction with the communities and overall environment of the regions in which they are located, with the aim of improving the capacity of organic agriculture to generate positive social, economic and environmental effects on rural development, which are of particular policy relevance in the peripheral, disadvantaged regions of Europe

A study of the adjustment of children in foster homes who were between the ages of twelve and fifteen when first placed by the Worcester Children's Friend Society.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Boundaries, Borders, and Imperial Control: Opium and the Imperial Project in Southeast Asia, 1890-1930

This essay explores the paradoxical challenge posed to expanding colonial state power by the attempt of colonial governments in Southeast Asia to more closely regulate opium import, sale and use. These governments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries worked to solidify their control over the full extent of their territory at the same time they began to implement programs associated with the civilizing mission ideology. Opium provided a means to demonstrate developing state capacity in both these areas. Colonial governments instituted state monopolies over not only importation but also sale of opium, with one stated goal to minimize opium’s harm to colonial subjects. They also enhanced state power to police borders where opium entered the country illicitly. In both these areas, however, resistance to and evasion of colonial opium policies revealed colonial states had too little power to enforce them despite increased funding, larger police and border control units, and cross-colony cooperation.Cet article explore le défi paradoxal qui tenaille la puissance de l’État colonial en expansion du fait des tentatives des gouvernements coloniaux de l’Asie du sud-est de réglementer de plus près l’importation, la vente et l’utilisation d’opium. À la fin du XIXe siècle et au début du XXe siècle, ces gouvernements sont intervenus pour solidifier la tutelle de leur territoire tout en commençant à instaurer des programmes liés à l’idéologie de mission civilisatrice en cours. L’industrie de l’opium représentait un moyen d’affirmer les compétences des États en développement dans ces deux domaines. Les gouvernements coloniaux ont ainsi établi des monopoles d’État non seulement sur l’importation mais aussi sur la vente de l’opium, avec l’objectif annoncé de réduire les dangers de l’opium pour les sujets de la colonie. Ils ont aussi renforcé les pouvoirs de surveillance des frontières partout où le stupéfiant passait en contrebande. Dans ces deux secteurs d’activité, cependant, la résistance et l’infraction aux politiques coloniales sur l’opium ont révélé la faiblesse des colonies en matière d’application, malgré la hausse du financement, l’augmentation des corps policiers et de contrôle frontalier, ainsi que la coopération intercoloniale

Myocardial dysfunction after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: predictors and prognostic implications.

We aim to determine the incidence of early myocardial dysfunction after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, risk factors associated with its development, and association with outcome. A retrospective chart review was performed among consecutive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients who underwent echocardiography within 24 h of return of spontaneous circulation at three urban teaching hospitals. Our primary outcome is early myocardial dysfunction, defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction \u3c 40% on initial echocardiogram. We also determine risk factors associated with myocardial dysfunction using multivariate analysis, and examine its association with survival and neurologic outcome. A total of 190 patients achieved ROSC and underwent echocardiography within 24 h. Of these, 83 (44%) patients had myocardial dysfunction. A total of 37 (45%) patients with myocardial dysfunction survived to discharge, 39% with intact neurologic status. History of congestive heart failure (OR 6.21; 95% CI 2.54-15.19), male gender (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.08-4.78), witnessed arrest (OR 4.20; 95% CI 1.78-9.93), more than three doses of epinephrine (OR 6.10; 95% CI 1.12-33.14), more than four defibrillations (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.35-16.43), longer duration of resuscitation (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01-1.10), and therapeutic hypothermia (OR 3.93; 95% CI 1.32-11.75) were associated with myocardial dysfunction. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately initiated by healthcare personnel was associated with lower odds of myocardial dysfunction (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.17-0.97). There was no association between early myocardial dysfunction and mortality or neurological outcome. Nearly half of OHCA patients have myocardial dysfunction. A number of clinical factors are associated with myocardial dysfunction, and may aid providers in anticipating which patients need early diagnostic evaluation and specific treatments. Early myocardial dysfunction is not associated with neurologically intact survival