Farmers' rights and protection of traditional agricultural knowledge:

"Although achieving in situ conservation is possible without changing farmers' customary management of crops as common pool resources, an alternative approach is to negotiate a bioprospecting contract with providers of the resource that involves direct payment and royalties. This bioprospecting mechanism implies a change in the customary treatment of crop genetic resources as common pool goods and is in line with national ownership mandated by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This paper questions the value of bioprospecting for protecting traditional agricultural knowledge and argues for a common pool approach. It examines the nature of crop genetic resources and farmers' knowledge about them, and it analyzes the nature of the ‘common heritage' regime that was partly dismantled by the Convention on Biological Diversity. The paper reviews the implementation of access and benefit sharing schemes under the CBD and discusses programs to recognize Farmers' Rights that have arisen since the establishment of the CBD. It concludes with recommendations for meeting the Farmers' Rights mandate of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture." Author's AbstractEast Africa, africa south of sahara, Biological diversity conservation, Collective action, Bioprospecting,

Protecting Traditional Agricultural Knowledge

Until the end of the last century, crop genetic resources were managed as public domain goods according to a set of practices loosely labeled as “common heritage.” The rise of intellectual property for plants, the commercialization of seed, the increasing use of genetic resources in crop breeding, and the declining availability of crop genetic resources have contributed to extensive revisions to the common heritage regime. Changes include specifying national ownership over genetic resources and use of contracts in the movement of resources between countries. This Essay explores the impact of these changes in cradle areas of crop domestication, evolution and diversity (Vavilov Centers) where farmers continue to grow diverse populations of crops that serve as stores of genetic resources and sources for new resources. The question posed here is whether protection of traditional knowledge is best accomplished through a form of bioprospecting that replaces common pool management by private ownership. The Essay addresses two issues relating to the demise of the common heritage regime: 1. What role does common heritage play in the management of crop genetic resources? 2. What steps are available to protect crop genetic resources in the public domain and to recognize the stewardship of farmers who maintain those resources? The Essay discusses these issues in reference to the flow of genetic resources between traditional farming systems of Vavilov Centers and the commercial and public crop breeding sectors in developed countries

Massive Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Originating from the Cecum

Six cases are reported of arterio-venous malformations of the cecum presenting with hemorrhage. Newer techniques of diagnosis and management are reviewed. These cases are of interest because of their relative uniqueness and clinical importance. The diagnosis of underlying disease in these cases is often difficult. Massive bleeding, if not controlled, is an indication for immediate operation. Recurrent bleeding, even if previously controlled, can also be considered a surgical indication

Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatic Duct Cannulation (ERPC): An Aid to Pancreatic Surgery

Retrograde endoscopic pancreatic duct cannulation for evaluation of patients with chronic pancreatitis is reviewed over the last two years. Of 40 patients that were endoscoped, 30 had a successful pancreatogram. The X-ray findings fell into three groups: 1) single and multiple stenosis, 2) diffuse narrowing, and 3) apparently normal duct. This procedure proved of value in ruling out or delaying surgical operation in 10 persons. Twenty-one patients underwent operations. Thirteen had a 95% pancreatectomy, one had drainage of a necrotic collection thought to be a pseudocyst and one had a pseudocyst resected. One had a gastrojejunostomy and vagotomy bypassing a stenosis of the second portion of the duodenum and three had exploratory laparotomies. In five of the operated patients, the papilla could not be entered because of retraction, scarring or edema. In eight the correlation of the ductogram and the pathology found in resected specimen was good, while in another seven patients the resected specimen showed much more pathology than was suspected from the ductogram. While the pancreatogram fortifies clinical judgment. It is not always reliable as an indicator of the need for surgical versus medical treatment

Entrepreneurial capital, social values and Islamic traditions: exploring the growth of women-owned enterprises in Pakistan

Main ArticleThis study seeks to explore the variables contributing to the growth of women-owned enterprises in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Based on a previously established multivariate model, it uses two econometric approaches: first classifying variables into predetermined blocks; and second, using the general to specific approach. Statistical analyses and in-depth interviews confirm that women entrepreneurs’ personal resources and social capital have a significant role in their business growth. Further, it reveals that the moral support of immediate family, independent mobility and being allowed to meet with men play a decisive role in the sales and employment growth of women-owned enterprises in an Islamic country such as Pakistan

Silent warning: understanding the National Terrorism Advisory System

This research investigated two questions: How effective is the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) when compared to its predecessor, the Homeland Security Advisory System? And, does NTAS provide sufficient decision advantage for the nation it serves? The research methodology/design used a comparative analysis of results observed for each system as it addressed the problem set presented in a case study. The research found that NTAS is effective but continued improvement is needed. These improvements include: the formal establishment of a DHS Office of Counterterrorism Coordination; the renewal of the DHS Counterterrorism Advisory Board Charter or other appropriate governance documents to ensure sustainment of necessary decision making and execution authority for NTAS; refine the NTAS Concept of Operations to better demonstrate the system’s scalable outcomes other than an NTAS-generated alert, such as Joint Intelligence Bulletins, Joint Threat Assessments, etc.; NTAS-related outreach and education efforts with the homeland security enterprise and the public; and the improvement of communication aspects of NTAS integrating with other warning systems, such as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. These improvements are critical in sustaining the current effectiveness of the system and ensuring its future success.http://archive.org/details/silentwarningund1094544527National Terrorism Advisory System Coordinator, Department of Homeland SecurityApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Surgical Treatment of Liver Trauma: Technical Considerations and Case Reports

The incidence of abdominal trauma, and thus that of liver trauma, has been increasing in the past few years. Improvements in the understanding of the anatomy of the liver and improvements in diagnostic techniques have resulted in shorter and better operations with less delay between injury and surgery. Improvements in transportation to adequate hospital facilities and vigorous resuscitative measures have also contributed to lowering the mortality rate for this type of injury. Suggestions are made for the surgical management of liver injuries, together with illustrative case reports

Genes in the field: On-farm conservation of crop diversity

A primary goal of agricultural research is to develop technology that will enable the world's farmers to produce enough food in a manner that is sustainable and economically viable. This book comprises a collection of papers focusing on agricultural conservation and diversity issues throughout the world. Genetic diversity is important to individual farmers and farming communities and to the agricultural community in general. Recently regional and local farm seed variety has been reduced because of increased population, agricultural science and technology and the integration of the world's many diverse cultures. Papers discuss both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies, and present a number of case studies with an international perspective. Policy and institutional issues are also covered. (Abstract © CAB ABSTRACTS, CAB International