14 research outputs found
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A Multi-Actor Literature Review on Alternative and Sustainable Food Systems for the Promotion of Cereal Biodiversity
Organic and low-input food systems are emerging worldwide in answer to the sustainability crisis of the conventional agri-food sector. âAlternativeâ systems are based on local, decentralized approaches to production and processing, regarding quality and health, and short supply-chains for products with strong local identities. Diversity is deeply embedded in these food systems, from the agrobiodiversity grown in farmersâ fields, which improves resilience and adaptation, to diverse approaches, contexts and actors in food manufacturing and marketing. Diversity thus becomes a cross-sectoral issue which acknowledges consumersâ demand for healthy products. In the framework of the European project âCERERE, CEreal REnaissance in Rural Europe: embedding diversity in organic and low-input food systemsâ, the paper aims at reviewing recent research on alternative and sustainable food systems by adopting an innovative and participatory multi-actor approach; this has involved ten practitioners and twenty-two researchers from across Europe and a variety of technical backgrounds in the paper and analysis stages. The participatory approach is the main innovation and distinctive feature of this literature review. Partners selected indeed what they perceived as most relevant in order to facilitate a transition towards more sustainable and diversity based cereal systems and food chains. This includes issues related to alternative food networks, formal and informal institutional settings, grass root initiatives, consumer involvement and, finally, knowledge exchange and sustainability. The review provides an overview of recent research that is relevant to CERERE partners as well as to anyone interested in alternative and sustainable food systems. The main objective of this paper was indeed to present a narrative of studies, which can form the foundation for future applied research to promote alternative methods of cereal production in Europe.Peer reviewe
Synthesis, evaluation and molecular modelling of piceatannol analogues as arginase inhibitors
International audienceArginase is involved in a wide range of pathologies including cardiovascular diseases and infectious diseases whilst it is also a promising target to improve cancer immunotherapy. To date, only a limited number of inhibitors of arginase have been reported. Natural polyphenols, among them piceatannol, are moderate inhibitors of arginase. Herein, we report our efforts to investigate catechol binding by quantum chemistry and generate analogues of piceatannol. In this work, we synthesized a novel series of amino-polyphenols which were then evaluated as arginase inhibitors. Their structureâactivity relationships were elucidated by deep quantum chemistry modelling. 4-((3,4-Dihydroxybenzyl)amino)benzene-1,2-diol 3t displays a mixed inhibition activity on bovine and human arginase I with IC50 (Ki) values of 76 (82) ÎŒM and 89 ÎŒM, respectively
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Entertainment education theory and practice in HIV/AIDS communication: a South Africa / United Kingdom comparison
Within development communication, gaps remain in theory and practice: communication innovations are taking place which either do not incorporate theory or fail to challenge the assumptions of development communication and HIV/AIDS theory. This can lead to the implementation of unsuccessful interventions that lack theoretical frameworks or to uninformed practice, making it difficult to replicate. Further, research has demonstrated that Entertainment Education (EE) interventions have a measurable impact on behaviour in areas such as HIV/AIDS prevention. Given the transitions in EE practice and evidence of its impact, EE theory and practice can contribute insight into these challenges. A pilot study investigated these dilemmas within the context of the monitoring and evaluation of development communication. Framing this discussion is the concept of South-North dialogue, using comparative analysis of EE interventions to distil lessons through contrasting experiences in two diverse settings. It holds as a principle that lessons from the experience of EE in the Southern context can inform lessons for the North. Further, comparison of the case studies can generate insights for the broader development communication field. We present four case studies, informed by key informant interviews, of EE interventions in the UK and South Africa. We address how communication is defined in planning, implementation and evaluation, highlighting how it often misses the importance of 'listening'. The case studies show that HIV/AIDS communication, and development communication more broadly, has not internalised ideas of evaluation and listening in communication. Successes in the case studies can be partially attributed to responsiveness and context-specificity rather than following rigid planning templates, such as those found in some development communication literature. This indicates the importance of flexibility and responsiveness to context for both development communication and HIV/AIDS communication