Working towards an engagement turn to agricultural research in the Tonle Sap Biosphere,Cambodia

A new generation of agricultural research programs are embracing use of participation as a vehicle for achieving greater impact and supporting transformative change in complex social-ecological systems. In this paper, we share learning from use of participatory action research in the Tonle Sap biosphere in Cambodia, as the main implementing methodology within a large multi-partner agricultural research program. We describe the program’s espoused approach to applying participatory methodologies focusing on co-ownership, equity and reflexivity with stakeholders throughout the research process. We then reflect upon our practice as we pursued initiatives to support increased income and nutrition outcomes for the poorest people in a diverse aquatic agricultural system characterized by inequality. We discuss the challenges and early successes of the process and share three enabling conditions that support a shift towards quality of participation in agricultural research: (1) focusing at the outset on a strengthsbased mind-set, (2) staging a critical stance to progressively build equity in process and outcomes, and (3) institutionalizing reflexivity to facilitate ongoing learning

THE ROLE OF INTERDEPENDENCE IN THE MICRO-FOUNDATIONS OF ORGANIZATION DESIGN: TASK, GOAL, AND KNOWLEDGE INTERDEPENDENCE

Interdependence is a core concept in organization design, yet one that has remained consistently understudied. Current notions of interdependence remain rooted in seminal works, produced at a time when managers’ near-perfect understanding of the task at hand drove the organization design process. In this context, task interdependence was rightly assumed to be exogenously determined by characteristics of the work and the technology. We no longer live in that world, yet our view of interdependence has remained exceedingly task-centric and our treatment of interdependence overly deterministic. As organizations face increasingly unpredictable workstreams and workers co-design the organization alongside managers, our field requires a more comprehensive toolbox that incorporates aspects of agent-based interdependence. In this paper, we synthesize research in organization design, organizational behavior, and other related literatures to examine three types of interdependence that characterize organizations’ workflows: task, goal, and knowledge interdependence. We offer clear definitions for each construct, analyze how each arises endogenously in the design process, explore their interrelations, and pose questions to guide future research

Baseline characteristics of patients in the reduction of events with darbepoetin alfa in heart failure trial (RED-HF)

<p>Aims: This report describes the baseline characteristics of patients in the Reduction of Events with Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure trial (RED-HF) which is testing the hypothesis that anaemia correction with darbepoetin alfa will reduce the composite endpoint of death from any cause or hospital admission for worsening heart failure, and improve other outcomes.</p> <p>Methods and results: Key demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, along with baseline treatment, are reported and compared with those of patients in other recent clinical trials in heart failure. Compared with other recent trials, RED-HF enrolled more elderly [mean age 70 (SD 11.4) years], female (41%), and black (9%) patients. RED-HF patients more often had diabetes (46%) and renal impairment (72% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients in RED-HF had heart failure of longer duration [5.3 (5.4) years], worse NYHA class (35% II, 63% III, and 2% IV), and more signs of congestion. Mean EF was 30% (6.8%). RED-HF patients were well treated at randomization, and pharmacological therapy at baseline was broadly similar to that of other recent trials, taking account of study-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median (interquartile range) haemoglobin at baseline was 112 (106–117) g/L.</p> <p>Conclusion: The anaemic patients enrolled in RED-HF were older, moderately to markedly symptomatic, and had extensive co-morbidity.</p&gt

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

Women and men in tropical dry forests: a preliminary review Hommes et femmes dans les forêts sèches tropicales: une analyse préliminaire

SUMMARY From a broad review of 670 publications on gender and forests, ~130 were found to address the world's dry forests. These were examined with the intent to extract gendered social, cultural, political and economic patterns of relevance in such forests. Seven interrelated themes recurred in this literature: 1) population pressure, 2) migration, 3) intra-familial and inter-group conflict, 4) hierarchy and significant power differences, 5) strict gender differentiation, 6) commercialization of crops and NTFPs, and 7) fuelwood collection. Based upon these themes, the uniqueness of each situation and the importance of finetuning any approach to local realities to generate outcomes that can benefit women, we propose four promising ways to enhance the prospects for gender equity in dry forest areas: 1) a strengthening of groups and collective action, 2) explicit challenges to traditional gender norms, 3) a focus on products and spaces that interest women, and 4) addressing migration and population issues. Keywords: dry forests, gender, population, migration, conflict, gender stereotype, fuelwood, collective action Hommes et femmes dans les forêts sèches tropicales: une analyse préliminaire C.J.P. COLFER, M. ELIAS et R. JAMNADASS Parmi 670 publications portant sur le genre et les forêts, nous en avons identifié ~ 130 se concentrant sur les forêts sèches du monde. Nous y avons analysé les principaux enjeux par rapport aux relations de genre dans les sphères socio-culturelle, politique et économique. Sept thèmes communs et interreliés se sont dégagés de cette analyse : 1) la pression démographique, 2) la migration, 3) les conflits inter-familiaux et intergroupes, 4) la hiérarchie et la différence de pouvoir, 5) une différenciation prononcée selon le sexe, 6) la commercialisation des récoltes et des PFNL et 7) la collecte de bois de chauffe. Basé sur ces analyses et tenant compte de l'importance du contexte local dans tout enjeu par rapport au genre, nous proposons quatre voies prometteuses pour favoriser l'égalité des sexes dans les zones de forêts sèches : 1) un renforcement des groupes locaux et des actions collectives, 2) une volonté explicite de remettre en question les normes traditionnelles liées aux genre, 3) un accent sur les produits et espaces d'importance pour les femmes et 4) une approche qui aborde les questions de migration et de population. Mujeres y hombres en los bosques secos tropicales: una revisión preliminar C.J.P. COLFER, M. ELIAS y R. JAMNADASS A partir de una amplia revisión de 670 publicaciones sobre género y bosques, se encontró que ~130 tratan los bosques secos del mundo. Éstas se examinaron con la intención de extraer patrones de género sociales, culturales, políticos y económicos relevantes en dichos bosques. En esta literatura son recurrentes siete temas relacionados entre sí: 1) presión poblacional, 2) migración, 3) conflictos intrafamiliares y entre grupos, 4) jerarquía y diferencias significativas de poder, 5) diferenciación estricta entre géneros, 6) comercialización de cultivos y productos forestales no maderables, y 7) recolección de leña. Tomando estos temas como punto de partida, la singularidad de cada situación y la importancia de afinar cualquier acercamiento a las realidades locales con el que generar resultados que puedan beneficiar a las mujeres, proponemos cuatro formas prometedoras de mejorar las perspectivas de equidad de género en las áreas de bosque seco: 1) el fortalecimiento de los grupos y la acción colectiva, 2) cuestionar de manera explícita las normas tradicionales de género, 3) un enfoque en productos y espacios de interés para las mujeres, y 4) tratar las cuestiones de migración y población. Women and men in tropical dry forests 71 In some cases, eroded resilience can result in a vicious cycle of land users driven to over-use. This in turn can reduce the capacity of the land, and adversely affect human wellbeing. These already limited natural resources can face serious environmental constraints-likely to worsen as a result of climate change. The history of relief aid rather than development in many areas has led to a recent interest among many in building resilience through still more diversified livelihood strategies-further recognizing that dry forests also contribute to national economies. Our focus on gender can contribute to better understanding and thereby increase the effectiveness of development interventions; dry forest systems involve human components (crops, livestock, trees, fibers, fish, fruits and vegetables with many human uses). As many have noted, men's and women's roles vary greatly. To enhance the prospects of gender equity, sustainable resource management, and enhanced productivity, a good understanding of conditions and factors affecting gender in these areas is needed. The definition of gender we use in this paper fits with global usage. Norms, practices, ideals and hopes for the future that contribute respectively to the social and ideational structures and conduct of women's and men's lives were of special interest. METHODS AND ORGANIZATION Gender-responsive studies carried out in dry forest areas or in dry areas where trees are useful to people's lives were included in this review. Although we have not had a strict dividing line between humid and dry forests-a topic that can elicit great disagreement-for the purpose of this paper we have considered areas with <~1 000mm of rainfall per year as "dry". As many papers on gender do not specify anything about ecological conditions, in some cases, published national or sub-national rainfall averages served as partial guides. These data were supplemented by other indications in the paper, such as the highlighting of drought (as in Uttar Pradesh) and/or our own general knowledge of the regions

Women and men in tropical dry forests: a preliminary review Hommes et femmes dans les forêts sèches tropicales: une analyse préliminaire

SUMMARY From a broad review of 670 publications on gender and forests, ~130 were found to address the world's dry forests. These were examined with the intent to extract gendered social, cultural, political and economic patterns of relevance in such forests. Seven interrelated themes recurred in this literature: 1) population pressure, 2) migration, 3) intra-familial and inter-group conflict, 4) hierarchy and significant power differences, 5) strict gender differentiation, 6) commercialization of crops and NTFPs, and 7) fuelwood collection. Based upon these themes, the uniqueness of each situation and the importance of finetuning any approach to local realities to generate outcomes that can benefit women, we propose four promising ways to enhance the prospects for gender equity in dry forest areas: 1) a strengthening of groups and collective action, 2) explicit challenges to traditional gender norms, 3) a focus on products and spaces that interest women, and 4) addressing migration and population issues. Keywords: dry forests, gender, population, migration, conflict, gender stereotype, fuelwood, collective action Hommes et femmes dans les forêts sèches tropicales: une analyse préliminaire C.J.P. COLFER, M. ELIAS et R. JAMNADASS Parmi 670 publications portant sur le genre et les forêts, nous en avons identifié ~ 130 se concentrant sur les forêts sèches du monde. Nous y avons analysé les principaux enjeux par rapport aux relations de genre dans les sphères socio-culturelle, politique et économique. Sept thèmes communs et interreliés se sont dégagés de cette analyse : 1) la pression démographique, 2) la migration, 3) les conflits inter-familiaux et intergroupes, 4) la hiérarchie et la différence de pouvoir, 5) une différenciation prononcée selon le sexe, 6) la commercialisation des récoltes et des PFNL et 7) la collecte de bois de chauffe. Basé sur ces analyses et tenant compte de l'importance du contexte local dans tout enjeu par rapport au genre, nous proposons quatre voies prometteuses pour favoriser l'égalité des sexes dans les zones de forêts sèches : 1) un renforcement des groupes locaux et des actions collectives, 2) une volonté explicite de remettre en question les normes traditionnelles liées aux genre, 3) un accent sur les produits et espaces d'importance pour les femmes et 4) une approche qui aborde les questions de migration et de population. Mujeres y hombres en los bosques secos tropicales: una revisión preliminar C.J.P. COLFER, M. ELIAS y R. JAMNADASS A partir de una amplia revisión de 670 publicaciones sobre género y bosques, se encontró que ~130 tratan los bosques secos del mundo. Éstas se examinaron con la intención de extraer patrones de género sociales, culturales, políticos y económicos relevantes en dichos bosques. En esta literatura son recurrentes siete temas relacionados entre sí: 1) presión poblacional, 2) migración, 3) conflictos intrafamiliares y entre grupos, 4) jerarquía y diferencias significativas de poder, 5) diferenciación estricta entre géneros, 6) comercialización de cultivos y productos forestales no maderables, y 7) recolección de leña. Tomando estos temas como punto de partida, la singularidad de cada situación y la importancia de afinar cualquier acercamiento a las realidades locales con el que generar resultados que puedan beneficiar a las mujeres, proponemos cuatro formas prometedoras de mejorar las perspectivas de equidad de género en las áreas de bosque seco: 1) el fortalecimiento de los grupos y la acción colectiva, 2) cuestionar de manera explícita las normas tradicionales de género, 3) un enfoque en productos y espacios de interés para las mujeres, y 4) tratar las cuestiones de migración y población. Women and men in tropical dry forests 71 In some cases, eroded resilience can result in a vicious cycle of land users driven to over-use. This in turn can reduce the capacity of the land, and adversely affect human wellbeing. These already limited natural resources can face serious environmental constraints-likely to worsen as a result of climate change. The history of relief aid rather than development in many areas has led to a recent interest among many in building resilience through still more diversified livelihood strategies-further recognizing that dry forests also contribute to national economies. Our focus on gender can contribute to better understanding and thereby increase the effectiveness of development interventions; dry forest systems involve human components (crops, livestock, trees, fibers, fish, fruits and vegetables with many human uses). As many have noted, men's and women's roles vary greatly. To enhance the prospects of gender equity, sustainable resource management, and enhanced productivity, a good understanding of conditions and factors affecting gender in these areas is needed. The definition of gender we use in this paper fits with global usage. Norms, practices, ideals and hopes for the future that contribute respectively to the social and ideational structures and conduct of women's and men's lives were of special interest. METHODS AND ORGANIZATION Gender-responsive studies carried out in dry forest areas or in dry areas where trees are useful to people's lives were included in this review. Although we have not had a strict dividing line between humid and dry forests-a topic that can elicit great disagreement-for the purpose of this paper we have considered areas with <~1 000mm of rainfall per year as "dry". As many papers on gender do not specify anything about ecological conditions, in some cases, published national or sub-national rainfall averages served as partial guides. These data were supplemented by other indications in the paper, such as the highlighting of drought (as in Uttar Pradesh) and/or our own general knowledge of the regions