Demand for Organic Food in Australia: Results from a Focus-Group Study

Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis,

An Overview of the Organic Food Products Market in Australia

Worldwide, the demand for organic food products appears to have expanded quickly in recent years, stimulated by consumer perceptions that organic products are safe, clean and ethical. The growth rate was estimated to be around 10-20 per cent per annum in the next few years, with sales reaching $US 29-31 billion in 2005. The biggest growth in consumption has occurred in developed countries, such as the United States, Western Europe, and Japan that are also major importers of organic foods. It is clear that Australia, traditionally a major exporter of agricultural products, stands to benefit from the expansion in demand for organic products. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the Australian organic food products industry, including production, marketing and certification of organic foods, with the aim of assessing whether the opportunity presented in the world market will be able to be taken. Major issues facing the Australian organic industry are discussed and areas for future research are identified. Production issues include the small production base and conversion to organic farming, while marketing issues focus on prices and product integrity. When applicable, market situations for organics in Europe and the United States are also reviewed to serve as a reference point for comparison.Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Marketing,

Issues and Research Needs of the Australian Organic Food Products Market

Worldwide, the demand for organic food products has expanded rapidly in the past decade, stimulated by consumer perceptions that organic products are safer, cleaner and more ethical than conventional products. The demand for organic products is estimated to be growing at a rate of 15-20 per cent per annum, with sales reaching $US23 billion in 2002. The biggest growth in consumption has occurred in developed countries such as the United States and Europe, which are major importers of organic foods. Australia, as a major exporter of agricultural products, stands to benefit from this expansion in demand. However, little is known about the organic industry by other agribusinesses and little research on organics has been conducted in Australia, especially compared to the United States and Europe. The objective of this paper is to provide a contemporary overview of the Australian organic food products industry, including production, marketing and certification of organic foods. Major supply issues such as the small production base and the low rate of conversion to organic farming and major demand issues such as availability, prices and product integrity are discussed. Areas identified for further research include data collection and reporting of production, consumption and trade of organic products, consumer and producer attitudes towards, and expectations of, organic farming, product integrity and labelling regulation, competition from other sustainable farming systems, and future industry structure of the organic sector. Outputs from the research will provide market information to the organic industry that helps identify marketing opportunities and develop strategies for meeting market requirements and sustaining industry growth.Agribusiness, Marketing,

Currency Hedging Strategies Using Dynamic Multivariate GARCH

This paper examines the effect on the effectiveness of using futures contracts as hedging instruments of: 1) the model of volatility used to estimate conditional variances and covariances, 2) the analyzed currency, and 3) the maturity of the futures contract being used. For this purpose, daily data of futures and spot exchange rates of three currencies, Euro, British pound and Japanese yen, against the American dollar are used to analyze hedge ratios and hedging effectiveness resulting from using two different maturity currency contracts, near-month and next-to-near-month contract. We estimate four multivariate volatility models (CCC, VARMA-AGARCH, DCC and BEKK) and calculate optimal portfolio weights and optimal hedge ratios to identify appropriate currency hedging strategies. Hedging effectiveness index suggests that the best results in terms of reducing the variance of the portfolio are for the USD/GBP exchange rate. The results show that futures hedging strategies are slightly more effective when the near-month future contract is used for the USD/GBP and USD/JPY currencies. Moreover, CCC and AGARCH models provide similar hedging effectiveness although some differences appear when the DCC and BEKK models are used.Multivariate GARCH, conditional correlations, exchange rates, optimal hedge ratio, optimal portfolio weights, hedging strategies.

Development of a triage protocol for patients presenting with gastrointestinal hemorrhage: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Introduction Many patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH) are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring. A simple triage protocol based upon validated risk factors could decrease ICU utilization. Methods Records of 188 patients admitted with GIH from the emergency department (ED) were reviewed for BLEED criteria (visualized red blood, systolic blood pressure below 100 mm Hg, elevated prothrombin time [PT], erratic mental status, and unstable comorbid disease) and complication within the first 24 hours of admission. Variables associated with early complication were reassessed in 132 patients prospectively enrolled as a validation cohort. A triage model was developed using significant predictors. Results We studied 188 patients in the development set and 132 in the validation set. Red blood (relative risk [RR] 4.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.04, 10.07) and elevated PT (RR 3.27, 95% CI 1.53, 7.01) were significantly associated with complication in the development set. In the validation cohort, the combination of red blood or unstable comorbidity had a sensitivity of 0.73, a specificity of 0.55, a positive predictive value of 0.24, and a negative predictive value of 0.91 for complication within 24 hours. In simulation studies, a triage model using these variables could reduce ICU admissions without increasing the number of complications. Conclusion Patients presenting to the ED with GIH who have no evidence of ongoing bleeding or unstable comorbidities are at low risk for complication during hospital admission. A triage model based on these variables should be tested prospectively to optimize critical care resource utilization in this common condition

A Cretaceous‐Eocene depositional age for the Fenghuoshan Group, Hoh Xil Basin: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the northern Tibet Plateau

The Fenghuoshan Group marks the initiation of terrestrial deposition in the Hoh Xil Basin and preserves the first evidence of uplift above sea level of northern Tibet. The depositional age of the Fenghuoshan Group is debated as are the stratigraphic relationships between the Fenghuoshan Group and other terrestrial sedimentary units in the Hoh Xil Basin. We present new radiometric dates and a compilation of published biostratigraphic data which are used to reinterpret existing magnetostratigraphic data from the Fenghuoshan Group. From these data, we infer an 85–51 Ma depositional age range for the Fenghuoshan Group. U‐Pb detrital zircon age spectra from this unit are compared to age spectra from Tibetan terranes and Mesozoic sedimentary sequences to determine a possible source terrane for Fenghuoshan Group strata. We propose that these strata were sourced from the Qiangtang Terrane and may share a common sediment source with Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in Nima Basin. Field relationships and compiled biostratigraphic data indicate that the Fenghuoshan and Tuotuohe Groups are temporally distinct units. We report late Oligocene ages for undeformed basalt flows that cap tilted Fenghuoshan Group strata. Together, our age constraints and field relationships imply exhumation of the central Qiangtang Terrane from the Late Cretaceous to earliest Eocene, followed by Eocene‐Oligocene deformation, and shortening of the northern Qiangtang and southern Songpan‐Ganzi terranes. Crustal shortening within the Hoh Xil Basin ceased by late Oligocene time as is evident from flat‐lying basaltic rocks, which cap older, deformed strata. Key Points The Fenghuoshan Group was deposited from late Cretaceous to early Eocene time The Fenghuoshan Group was likely sourced from the central Qiangtang Terrane Crustal shortening of the Hoh Xil Basin occurred from Eocene to Oligocene timePeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/1/ts02.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/2/fs02.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/3/tect20113.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/4/ts06.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/5/fs06.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/6/ts03.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/7/fs03.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/8/ts07.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/9/fs07.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/10/fs04.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/11/ts04.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/12/fs01.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/13/ts08.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/14/ts01.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/15/fs05.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106814/16/ts05.pd

Mitigating The Burden Of Diabetes In Sub-Saharan Africa Through An Integrated Diagonal Health Systems Approach

Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) presenting growing health and economic burdens in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Diabetes is unique due to its cross-cutting nature, impacting multiple organ systems and increasing the risk for other communicable and non-communicable diseases. Unfortunately, the quality of care for diabetes in SSA is poor, largely due to a weak disease management framework and fragmented health systems in most sub-Saharan African countries. We argue that by synergizing disease-specific vertical programs with system-specific horizontal programs through an integrated disease-system diagonal approach, we can improve access, quality, and safety of diabetes care programs while also supporting other chronic diseases. We recommend utilizing the six World Health Organization (WHO) health system building blocks – 1) leadership and governance, 2) financing, 3) health workforce, 4) health information systems, 5) supply chains, and 6) service delivery – as a framework to design a diagonal approach with a focus on health system strengthening and integration to implement and scale quality diabetes care. We discuss the successes and challenges of this approach, outline opportunities for future care programming and research, and highlight how this approach can lead to the improvement in the quality of care for diabetes and other chronic diseases across SSA

Prospective unmasked randomized evaluation of the iStent inject (®) versus two ocular hypotensive agents in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of subjects with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) not controlled on one medication who underwent either implantation of two iStent inject (®) trabecular micro-bypass devices or received medical therapy consisting of a fixed combination of latanoprost/timolol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 192 subjects who qualified for the study and were enrolled, 94 were randomized to surgery with implantation of two iStent inject(®) devices in the treated eye and 98 to receive medical therapy. RESULTS: At the month 12 visit, 94.7% of eyes (89/94) in the stent group reported an unmedicated intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction of ≥20% versus baseline unmedicated IOP, and 91.8% of eyes (88/98) in the medical therapy group reported an IOP reduction ≥20% versus baseline unmedicated IOP. A 17.5% between-group treatment difference in favor of the iStent inject group was statistically significant (P=0.02) at the ≥50% level of IOP reduction. An IOP ≤18 mmHg was reported in 92.6% of eyes (87/94) in the iStent inject group and 89.8% of eyes (88/98) in the medical therapy group. Mean (standard deviation) IOP decreases from screening of 8.1 (2.6) mmHg and 7.3 (2.2) mmHg were reported in the iStent inject and medical therapy groups, respectively. A high safety profile was also noted in this study in both the iStent inject and medical therapy groups, as measured by stable best corrected visual acuity, cup-to-disc ratio, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: These data show that the use of iStent inject is at least as effective as two medications, with the clinical benefit of reducing medication burden and assuring continuous treatment with full compliance to implant therapy as well as having a highly favorable safety profile

Traditional Jones criteria: limitation in the diagnosis of rheumatic fever in patients with mitral valve repair

The present study aims to determine the limitations of traditional Jones criteria during the first episode of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) at the initial referral hospital, in a cohort of patients below 18 years old who had undergone mitral valve repair in National Heart Institute (IJN) from 2011 to 2016. Carditis followed by fever and joint involvement were the most frequent manifestations at first diagnosis. Of the 50 patients, only seven (14%) fulfilled the traditional Jones criteria for the diagnosis of the first episode of ARF. When compulsory evidence of a previous group A Beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) was disregarded, this figure rose to 54%. Therefore, strict adherence to Jones criteria with absolute documentation of GABHS will lead to underdiagnoses of ARF. The application of echocardiographic diagnostic criteria of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) needs to be emphasized to allow early diagnosis and administration of secondary prophylaxis to prevent progression to severe valvular disease

Wolffia globosa–Mankai Plant-Based Protein Contains Bioactive Vitamin B12 and Is Well Absorbed in Humans

Background: Rare plants that contain corrinoid compounds mostly comprise cobalamin analogues, which may compete with cobalamin (vitamin B12 (B12)) metabolism. We examined the presence of B12 in a cultivated strain of an aquatic plant: Wolffia globosa (Mankai), and predicted functional pathways using gut-bioreactor, and the effects of long-term Mankai consumption as a partial meat substitute, on serum B12 concentrations. Methods: We used microbiological assay, liquid-chromatography/electrospray-ionization-tandem-mass-spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and anoxic bioreactors for the B12 experiments. We explored the effect of a green Mediterranean/low-meat diet, containing 100 g of frozen Mankai shake/day, on serum B12 levels during the 18-month DIRECT-PLUS (ID:NCT03020186) weight-loss trial, compared with control and Mediterranean diet groups. Results: The B12 content of Mankai was consistent at different seasons (p = 0.76). Several cobalamin congeners (Hydroxocobalamin(OH-B12); 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin(Ado-B12); methylcobalamin(Me-B12); cyanocobalamin(CN-B12)) were identified in Mankai extracts, whereas no pseudo B12 was detected. A higher abundance of 16S-rRNA gene amplicon sequences associated with a genome containing a KEGG ortholog involved in microbial B12 metabolism were observed, compared with control bioreactors that lacked Mankai. Following the DIRECT-PLUS intervention (n = 294 participants; retention-rate = 89%; baseline B12 = 420.5 ± 187.8 pg/mL), serum B12 increased by 5.2% in control, 9.9% in Mediterranean, and 15.4% in Mankai-containing green Mediterranean/low-meat diets (p = 0.025 between extreme groups). Conclusions: Mankai plant contains bioactive B12 compounds and could serve as a B12 plant-based food source