Embedding Participatory Governance

This symposium examines the challenges and opportunities of recent efforts at embedding participatory governance. It draws together original research that engages theoretically and empirically with some fundamental questions: •What are the challenges of embedding participatory governance in policy-making? •What happens when social movements have opportunities to shape the institutionalization of PG processes? Can they reanimate the radical potential of citizen participation for social transformation? •How can the tensions between the different demands of lay citizens, organized civil society, political parties, and public officials be managed? In this introductory article, we provide a definition of embeddedness, outlining its spatial, temporal, and practices dimensions, in so doing distinguishing embeddedness from institutionalization, with which it has often been used interchangeably. Our aim is to delineate the breadth of the concept, drawing together its many uses into a systematic framework that can both guide future research and practical experimentation. In particular, our hope is to turn more attention to the informal practices that are essential for embedding. The contributions to the symposium shift attention from institutional design to embedding dynamics and how these work to open or close spaces for meaningful citizen input

THE EFFECT OF INTERNATIONAL POLICIES ON BORROWING AND DEBT OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The first paper introduces a new dataset on the stock and structure of domestic debt in 36 Low-Income Countries over the period 1971-2011. We characterize the recent trends regarding LICs domestic public debt and explore the relevance of different arguments put forward on the benefits and costs of government borrowing in local public debt markets. The main stylized fact emerging from the data is the increase in domestic government debt since 1996. We also observe that poor countries have been able to increase the share of long-term instruments over time and that the maturity lengthening went together with a decrease in borrowing costs. However, the concentration of the investor base, mainly dominated by commercial banks and the Central Bank, may crowd out lending to the private sector

Parvovirus B19: Insights and implication for pathogenesis, prevention and therapy

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a small ssDNA non-enveloped virus, member of Parvoviridae family. The infection is widely diffused and is responsible for a broad range of clinical manifestations including fifth disease in children, transient aplastic crisis in patients with haematological disorders, non-immune hydrops fetalis in pregnant women, persistent anaemia in immunocompromised patients, arthropathy and inflammation of various other tissues. B19V infects and replicates in erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs) in the bone marrow. The depletion of infected EPCs represents the pathogenetic mechanisms of some haematological B19V-associate diseases. Following a primary infection, the virus can establish lifelong persistence in several tissues. Currently, the pathological potential of persistent virus on the cellular signalling pathways remains unclear. In non-erythroid tissues, the infection is usually, abortive, and the virus seems to exert its pathological role through indirect mechanisms, such as induction of inflammatory and autoimmune processes, or through virus-induced apoptosis mediated by viral proteins. In addition to the diseases for which the etiological role of B19V has been fully demonstrated, there are several clinical conditions, including autoimmune diseases, that are presumably, but not certainly, associated with B19V infection. In this review, we describe recent findings that may give us new insight into the pathogenic role of B19V in systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disease of unknown multifactorial aetiology. Furthermore, we describe the latest findings on the intrauterine B19V infections. Moreover, since there are some ongoing interesting studies focused on vaccine development and antiviral drug discovery for the prevention and treatment of parvovirus B19 infection we described some advances in this field of research

Progress in cassava technology transfer in Uganda

This publication contains the full text of papers presented at a Workshop held in Masindi, Uganda, 9-12 January 1996, and sponsored by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. During the Workshop the need became evident for additional statistics on the multiplication, distribution and uptake of improved varieties of cassava in the six districts where activities are supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation and also elsewhere. The results of a subsequent survey in selected sub-counties of each of the six Gatsby districts are also presented here, together with estimates of the amount of improved material that has been distributed and the area now grown. These latest figures (Appendix 1) represent the best available estimates and in some instances differ substantially from those compiled and presented in the earlier district reports

Farm-Level Adaptive Capacity to Climate Variability in Rice Production, Northern Uganda

Rice is Uganda’s second major cereal crop however; its productivity has been considerably low and stagnant between 1.3 to 2.4 tons per hectare over the last 15 years. One of the underlying factors of low productivity is the current growing conditions which are not optimal for production due to climate variability. Adaptation is therefore pivotal in countering climatic challenges in production. Empirical evidence however, point to limited adaptive ability of farmers. This paper assessed farm-level adaptive capacity and its contribution to rice yield enhancement in Northern Uganda. The study was conducted on a sample of 240 rice producers in northern Uganda during 2010 - 2014 growing seasons. Adaptation capacity was measured quantitatively using indicator of access, use, knowledge and consultation levels. The study results revealed that the average farm-level adaptive capacity was 0.64 which falls in the range of moderate adapters. The study drew the following conclusions: adaptive capacity regarding use of local coping strategies was high contrary to the conventional strategies such as improved variety and herbicide. The moderate to high adaptive capacity was due farmer’s ability to access and use coping strategies than knowledge and consultation on the strategies. There was a considerable difference in yield between the low and high adapters. In order to improved farmer adaptive capacity, there is need for: early weather information sharing on specific crops and locality, research on rice production technologies, validating, strengthening and out-scaling of relevant local coping strategies, improving adoption of conventional coping strategies and access to quality seeds. Keywords: Coping strategies, Adaptive capacity, Climate variability, Rice

Effects of Climate Variability on Technical Efficiency of Rice in Acholi and Lango Sub-regions, Uganda

Despites government positive policies towards rice sector development, its productivity has remained low throughout its main growing areas. Several detrimental conditions that are climatic, biological and household specific are attributed to low and stagnant yield. The objective of this paper was to determine effects of climate variability on technical efficiency of rice production in Acholi and Lango sub-regions. Analysis of Cob-Douglas stochastic production function on 211 households showed that rice producers are operating in stage three of production function with respect to some inputs, production function exhibit decreasing return to scale and mean technical efficiency was 51%. Rainfall and temperatures improved technical efficiency in production while credit and labour reduced technical efficiency. The study concluded the following: More room exists for output improvement through expansion of acreage, inefficiencies characterize rice production in the sub-regions, the current rainfall amount and mean temperatures are adequate for attainment of efficiency while credit and labour constraints pose a serious challenge to attainment of efficiency in rice production. The study recommended: Promote of rice production in the upland areas, introduction of new rice variety suitable for the agro-ecological conditions and increase access to formal credit facilities.Keywords: Rice, Climate variability, Household characteristics, Technical efficiency, Uganda

How Climate Variability Influence Rain-Fed Rice Production Frontier: Northern Agro-Ecology of Uganda

This study examined the impact of climate variability on rain-fed rice production in the northern agro-ecological zone (NAEZ) of Uganda. We used stochastic frontier model to analyse a four year (2013-2016) farm-level data. The results of the maximum likelihood estimates revealed negative effects of mean rainfall and coefficient of variation in rainfall on rice output but coefficient of variations in mean temperature was positive. The production frontier exhibited increasing returns to scale technology, low level of efficiency was exhibited and inefficiencies were driven by location, age, plot size and number of crops. We therefore conclude that rice farmers are producing inefficiently and increased variability in climate has adverse effects on rice production frontier but inefficiencies are being propelled by farmers’ characteristics. Based on the findings, we recommend promoting awareness about climate variability and potential response alternatives for rice production and further research into coping strategies being used by rice farmers. Keywords: Production frontier, Rainfall, Rain-fed rice, Temperature DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-14-09 Publication date:July 31st 2019

Next Generation Sequencing for the Analysis of Parvovirus B19 Genomic Diversity

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a ssDNA human virus, responsible for an ample range of clinical manifestations. Sequencing of B19V DNA from clinical samples is frequently reported in the literature to assign genotype (genotypes 1-3) and for finer molecular epidemiological tracing. The increasing availability of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with its depth of coverage potentially yields information on intrinsic sequence heterogeneity; however, integration of this information in analysis of sequence variation is not routinely obtained. The present work investigated genomic sequence heterogeneity within and between B19V isolates by application of NGS techniques, and by the development of a novel dedicated bioinformatic tool and analysis pipeline, yielding information on two newly defined parameters. The first, alpha-diversity, is a measure of the amount and distribution of position-specific, normalised Shannon Entropy, as a measure of intra-sample sequence heterogeneity. The second, sigma-diversity, is a measure of the amount of inter-sample sequence heterogeneity, also incorporating information on alpha-diversity. Based on these indexes, further cluster analysis can be performed. A set of 24 high-titre viraemic samples was investigated. Of these, 23 samples were genotype 1 and one sample was genotype 2. Genotype 1 isolates showed low alpha-diversity values, with only a few samples showing distinct position-specific polymorphisms; a few genetically related clusters emerged when analysing inter-sample distances, correlated to the year of isolation; the single genotype 2 isolate showed the highest alpha-diversity, even if not presenting polymorphisms, and was an evident outlier when analysing inter-sample distance. In conclusion, NGS analysis and the bioinformatic tool and pipeline developed and used in the present work can be considered effective tools for investigating sequence diversity, an observable parameter that can be incorporated into the quasispecies theory framework to yield a better insight into viral evolution dynamics

Effect of a Participatory Multisectoral Maternal and Newborn Intervention on Birth Preparedness and Knowledge of Maternal and Newborn Danger Signs among Women in Eastern Uganda: A Quasiexperiment Study

Background: Knowledge of obstetric danger signs and adequate birth preparedness (BP) are critical for improving maternal services utilization. Objectives: This study assessed the effect of a participatory multi-sectoral maternal and newborn intervention on BP and knowledge of obstetric danger signs among women in Eastern Uganda. Methods: The Maternal and Neonatal Implementation for Equitable Systems (MANIFEST) study was implemented in three districts from 2013 to 2015 using a quasi-experimental pre–post comparison design. Data were collected from women who delivered in the last 12 months. Difference-in-differences (DiD) and generalized linear modelling analysis were used to assess the effect of the intervention on BP practices and knowledge of obstetric danger signs. Results: The overall BP practices increased after the intervention (DiD = 5, p < 0.05). The increase was significant in both intervention and comparison areas (7–39% vs. 7–36%, respectively), with a slightly higher increase in the intervention area. Individual savings, group savings, and identification of a transporter increased in both intervention and comparison area (7–69% vs. 10–64%, 0–11% vs. 0–5%, and 9–14% vs. 9–13%, respectively). The intervention significantly increased the knowledge of at least three obstetric danger signs (DiD = 31%) and knowledge of at least two newborn danger signs (DiD = 21%). Having knowledge of at least three BP components and attending community dialogue meetings increased the odds of BP practices and obstetric danger signs’ knowledge, respectively. Village health teams’ home visits, intervention area residence, and being in the 25+ age group increased the odds of both BP practices and obstetric danger signs’ knowledge. Conclusions: The intervention resulted in a modest increase in BP practices and knowledge of obstetric danger signs. Multiple strategies targeting women, in particular the adolescent group, are needed to promote behavior change for improved BP and knowledge of obstetric danger signs.DFI

The Ramazzini Institute 13-week study on glyphosate-based herbicides at human-equivalent dose in Sprague Dawley rats: Study design and first in-life endpoints evaluation

Background: Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely used pesticides worldwide, and glyphosate is the active ingredient of such herbicides, including the formulation known as Roundup. The massive and increasing use of GBHs results in not only the global burden of occupational exposures, but also increased exposure to the general population. The current pilot study represents the first phase of a long-term investigation of GBHs that we are conducting over the next 5 years. In this paper, we present the study design, the first evaluation of in vivo parameters and the determination of glyphosate and its major metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in urine. Methods: We exposed Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats orally via drinking water to a dose of glyphosate equivalent to the United States Acceptable Daily Intake (US ADI) of 1.75 mg/kg bw/day, defined as the chronic Reference Dose (cRfD) determined by the US EPA, starting from prenatal life, i.e. gestational day (GD) 6 of their mothers. One cohort was continuously dosed until sexual maturity (6-week cohort) and another cohort was continuously dosed until adulthood (13-week cohort). Here we present data on general toxicity and urinary concentrations of glyphosate and its major metabolite AMPA. Results: Survival, body weight, food and water consumption of the animals were not affected by the treatment with either glyphosate or Roundup. The concentration of both glyphosate and AMPA detected in the urine of SD rats treated with glyphosate were comparable to that observed in animals treated with Roundup, with an increase in relation to the duration of treatment. The majority of glyphosate was excreted unchanged. Urinary levels of the parent compound, glyphosate, were around 100-fold higher than the level of its metabolite, AMPA. Conclusions: Glyphosate concentrations in urine showed that most part of the administered dose was excreted as unchanged parent compound upon glyphosate and Roundup exposure, with an increasing pattern of glyphosate excreted in urine in relation to the duration of treatment. The adjuvants and the other substances present in Roundup did not seem to exert a major effect on the absorption and excretion of glyphosate. Our results demonstrate that urinary glyphosate is a more relevant marker of exposure than AMPA in the rodent model