Market Information: A Low Cost Tool for Agricultural Market Development?

Results of Researchs from SIMA-DEST and Department of Policies Analysis MADER-Directorate of Economicsfood security, food policy, agricultural market development, Mozambique, Marketing, Q18,

Main Lessons of the Agricultural Market Outlook and Food Security Conference in Mozambique for the Commercial Year 2004/2005.

Research Results from the Agricultural Market Information System (SIMA)- Dept. of Statistics and the Policy Analysis Department, MADER-Directorate of Economicsfood security, food policy, Mozambique, Food Security and Poverty, Marketing, Q18,

Testing the Role of Male-Male Competition in the Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism: A Comparison Between Two Species of Porcelain Crabs

Theory predicts marked sexual dimorphism in terms of body size and body structures used as weapons (e.g. chelipeds) in gonochoric species with intense male sexual competition for receptive females and reduced or no sexual dimorphism in species where competition among males is trivial. We tested this hypothesis using a pair of closely-related species of symbiotic porcelain crabs as a model. In one species that inhabits sea anemones solitarily, competition among males for receptive females is unimportant. In a second species that dwells as dense aggregations on sea urchins, malemale competition for sexual partners is recurrent. We expected considerable sexual dimorphism in body size and weaponry in the urchin-dwelling crab and reduced sexual dimorphism in the anemone-dwelling crab. In agreement with expectations, in the urchin-dwelling crab, male body size was, on average, larger than that of females and males invested considerably more to cheliped length than females. Also supporting theoretical considerations, in the anemone-dwelling crab, sexual dimorphism in terms of body size was not detected and differences between the sexes in investment to cheliped length were minor. Interestingly, chelipeds were more developed both in males and females of the anemone-dwelling crab than in the urchin-dwelling crab as a result of the importance of these structures for monopolization of their naturally scarce anemone hosts. Another difference between the studied species was the existence of two clearly distinguishable ontogenetic phases in males of the urchin-dwelling crab but not in males of the anemone-dwelling crab. Whether the two different male morphs display different male reproductive strategies in the urchin-dwelling crab remains to be addressed. Other conditions that might additionally explain the observed differences in sexual dimorphism (e.g. female mate choice) between the studied species remain to be explored. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London

Palabras que calan: la escritura de Julio Torri

Entre la diversidad de opiniones sobre la obra de Julio Torri destacan como características principales y muy relacionadas entre sí la brevedad, la mezcla de géneros, el humor, la ironía, lo fantástico, la calidad literaria y el esteticismo de su prosa, el estilo pulcro y perfecto de su escritura, su preferencia por la prosa (así se llame poética), su exigencia y rigor ante lo que escribe, la innegable relación de sus textos con otros de diferentes culturas y autores; pero, a nuestro juicio, lo sobresaliente es la apreciación que se tiene sobre la originalidad y actualidad de la obra de Julio Torri

Soil quality, yield stability and economic attributes of alternative crop rotations

Three long-term rotational crop studies in Iowa and one in Wisconsin were examined for conclusive evidence of rotational effects on soil quality. Long-term yield data also were evaluated to determine if there was a quantifiable relationship between soil quality and yield or yield stability

Characterization of a unique technique for culturing primary adult human epithelial progenitor/“stem cells”

Abstract Background Primary keratinocytes derived from epidermis, oral mucosa, and urothelium are used in construction of cell based wound healing devices and in regenerative medicine. This study presents in vitro technology that rapidly expands keratinocytes in culture by growing monolayers under large volumes of serum-free, essential fatty acid free, low calcium medium that is replaced every 24 hrs. Methods Primary cell cultures were produced from epidermal skin, oral mucosa and ureter by trypsinization of tissue. Cells were grown using Epilife medium with growth factors under high medium volumes. Once densely confluent, the keratinocyte monolayer produced cells in suspension in the overlying medium that can be harvested every 24 hrs. over a 7–10 day period. The cell suspension (approximately 8 X 105 cells/ml) is poured into a new flask to form another confluent monolayer over 2–4 days. This new culture, in turn produced additional cell suspensions that when serially passed expand the cell strain over 2–3 months, without the use of enzymes to split the cultures. The cell suspension, called epithelial Pop Up Keratinocytes (ePUKs) were analyzed for culture expansion, cell size and glucose utilization, attachment to carrier beads, micro-spheroid formation, induction of keratinocyte differentiation, and characterized by immunohistochemistry. Results The ePUKs expanded greatly in culture, attached to carrier beads, did not form micro-spheroids, used approximately 50% of medium glucose over 24 hrs., contained a greater portion of smaller diameter cells (8–10 microns), reverted to classical appearing cultures when returned to routine feeding schedules (48 hrs. and 15 ml/T-75 flask) and can be differentiated by either adding 1.2 mM medium calcium, or essential fatty acids. The ePUK cells are identified as cycling (Ki67 expressing) basal cells (p63, K14 expressing). Conclusions Using this primary culture technique, large quantities of epithelial cells can be generated without the use of the enzyme trypsin to split the cultures. The cells are small in diameter and have basal cell progenitor/”stem” (P/SC) cell characteristics induced by daily feeding with larger than normal medium volumes. The ePUK epithelial cells have the potential to be used in regenerative medicine and for basic studies of epithelia P/SC phenotype.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112344/1/12895_2011_Article_127.pd

Principais Lições Do Seminário Sobre Perspectivas Para Comercialização Agrícola E Segurança Alimentar Em Moçambique Para O Ano Comercial 2004/2005.

Resultados das Investigações do SIMA-Dest e Departamento de Análise de Políticas MADER-Direcção de Economiafood security, food policy, Mozambique, Food Security and Poverty, Marketing, Q18,

A Informação: Alavanca de Baixo Custo para o Desenvolvimento dos Mercados Agrários?

Resultados das Pesquisas do SIMA-DEST e Departamento de Análise de Políticas MADER-Direcção de Economiafood security, food policy, agricultural market development, Mozambique, Marketing, Q18,

Physical Growth, Biological Age, And Nutritional Transitions Of Adolescents Living At Moderate Altitudes In Peru

Background: Peru is experiencing a stage of nutritional transition where the principal characteristics are typical of countries undergoing development. Objectives: The objectives of this study were the following: (a) compare physical growth patterns with an international standard; (b) determine biological age; and (c) analyze the double nutritional burden of adolescents living at a moderate altitude in Peru. Design: Weight, standing height, and sitting height were measured in 551 adolescents of both sexes (12.0 to 17.9 years old) from an urban area of Arequipa, Peru (2328 m). Physical growth was compared with the international standard of the CDC-2000. Biological age was determined by using a non-invasive transversal technique based on years from age at peak height velocity (APHV). Nutritional state was determined by means of weight for age and height for age. Z scores were calculated using international standards from the CDC-2000. Results: Body weight for both sexes was similar to the CDC-2000 international standards. At all ages, the girls' height (p < 0.05) was below the standards. However, the boys' height (p < 0.05) was less at ages, 15, 16, and 17. Biological age showed up in girls at age 12.7 years and for boys at 15.2 years. Stunted growth (8.7% boys and 18.0% girls) and over weight (11.3% boys and 8.8% girls) occurred in both groups. A relationship existed in both sexes between the categories of weight for the age and stunted growth by sex. Conclusions: Adolescents living at a moderate altitude exhibited stunted linear growth and biological maturation. Furthermore, adolescents of both sexes showed the presence of the double nutritional burden (stunted growth and excessive weight).1210120821209