Farmer groups enterprises and the marketing of staple food commodities in Africa:

"There are some apparently successful cases of collective marketing with staple food commodities (grains and root crops), but these are less common than cases involving higher value agricultural products. These can be attributed to the benefit/cost ratio to participants being generally higher for collective marketing of the higher-value crops. Some of the costs are ‘hidden', in the sense that they are borne by individuals in time spent in attending meetings, and not shown in the financial statements of the enterprises concerned. Examining a series of cases, the paper advocates an approach to the marketing of staples which involves analyzing the value chain and identifying those activities which on the one hand, best lend themselves to individual initiative, and those where on the other hand, group approaches are more likely to prosper. Dual purpose food marketing involving village storage in anticipation of both external market opportunities and local lean season shortages usually falls into the former category. Collective initiatives have a higher probability of success when they complement agricultural intensification and involve bulking substantial quantities of produce for quality-conscious commercial buyers. Prospects for successful collective marketing are moreover greater where there is a history of collective endeavor, where focused on simple activities like bulking and distribution of inputs, where primary groups are small and homogenous in terms of interests and objectives, where they can establish lasting relationships with strong trade counterparties, where supported by effective training (especially re attitudes, numeracy, and business skills), where they can access effectively managed storage and inventory credit services, and where there is framework of law enforcement. The immediate poverty alleviation and programmatic priorities of funding agencies often undermine the effectiveness of promotional activities in support of collective marketing. This problem may be addressed by instituting systems of independent review and peer review processes, and involving open discussion of pros and cons of individual and collective approaches." authors' abstractCollective marketing, Producer organization, Staple food, Village storage, Inventory credit, Microfinance, Disbursement-driven,

Fluorescence photophysics, characterisation and application of labelled glucose/galactose binding protein

There is currently a pressing need for reliable, minimally-invasive, continuous glucose monitoring for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. One promising glucose sensor is bacterially-derived glucose binding protein (GBP). In this project, the modified triple mutant H152C/A213R/L238S-GBP (mGBP) was investigated for viability as a functioning glucose sensor. Labelling the protein with the environmentally-sensitive dye BADAN produced repeatable, nearly linear, changes in both fluorescence intensity and fluorescent lifetime measurements. The robustness of the GBP-BADAN sensor response was tested and the results showed no interference from the sugars fructose and lactose- while it was also shown that alterations in temperature and pH level had deleterious effects on the sensor function. The dyes Texas Red and iodoacetamide nile red (IANR) were attached to the GBP binding site to investigate the possibility of producing an alternative, longer-wavelength sensor system than when using BADAN. The ostensibly environment-insensitive Texas Red dye produced a protein-dye complex with no discernible response to glucose, but a significant response was observed for the GBP labelled with IANR: a 2-exponential lifetime decay relative amplitude change of 18% was recorded. These data provided further evidence for the proposed mechanisms of labelled GBP, while showing proof-of-concept for a long-wavelength fluorescence lifetime based glucose sensor. Finally, methods of protein encapsulation were examined. Silica sol gels derived from both tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) precursors were found to be ineffective environments for the GBP-BADAN sensor, as the fluorescence response was significantly impaired. Encapsulation in a hydrogel produced using 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMOC-YL) was also examined, and this arrangement was found to provide an environment where both mGBP-BADAN and mGBP-IANR could function. mGBP-IANR in the FMOC-YL hydrogel was found to have a binding constant of 41.99 (±3.78)mM. It was concluded that mGBP-IANR in an FMOC-YL hydrogel could potentially provide a route to a functioning glucose biosensor.There is currently a pressing need for reliable, minimally-invasive, continuous glucose monitoring for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. One promising glucose sensor is bacterially-derived glucose binding protein (GBP). In this project, the modified triple mutant H152C/A213R/L238S-GBP (mGBP) was investigated for viability as a functioning glucose sensor. Labelling the protein with the environmentally-sensitive dye BADAN produced repeatable, nearly linear, changes in both fluorescence intensity and fluorescent lifetime measurements. The robustness of the GBP-BADAN sensor response was tested and the results showed no interference from the sugars fructose and lactose- while it was also shown that alterations in temperature and pH level had deleterious effects on the sensor function. The dyes Texas Red and iodoacetamide nile red (IANR) were attached to the GBP binding site to investigate the possibility of producing an alternative, longer-wavelength sensor system than when using BADAN. The ostensibly environment-insensitive Texas Red dye produced a protein-dye complex with no discernible response to glucose, but a significant response was observed for the GBP labelled with IANR: a 2-exponential lifetime decay relative amplitude change of 18% was recorded. These data provided further evidence for the proposed mechanisms of labelled GBP, while showing proof-of-concept for a long-wavelength fluorescence lifetime based glucose sensor. Finally, methods of protein encapsulation were examined. Silica sol gels derived from both tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) precursors were found to be ineffective environments for the GBP-BADAN sensor, as the fluorescence response was significantly impaired. Encapsulation in a hydrogel produced using 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMOC-YL) was also examined, and this arrangement was found to provide an environment where both mGBP-BADAN and mGBP-IANR could function. mGBP-IANR in the FMOC-YL hydrogel was found to have a binding constant of 41.99 (±3.78)mM. It was concluded that mGBP-IANR in an FMOC-YL hydrogel could potentially provide a route to a functioning glucose biosensor

Grain storage in the northern communal areas of Nambia

This consultancy was commissioned by the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), with funds from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (MAWRD), and carried out in September and October 1997. The objectives were to make recommendations on the appropriate types, ownership, management and capacities of on and off-farm grain storage of mahangu, maize and sorghum in the Northern Communal Areas (NCA), and to assess the need for holding strategic grain reserves. Terms of reference are as shown in Appendix 1, as well as amendments agreed with the Steering Committee at a meeting on September 16. The consultancy was carried out by an agricultural marketing economist and a grain storage specialist, who visited Kavango, Caprivi and the North-Central Regions in the days 5 - 17 October, collecting information from institutional and trade sources and through a series of farm visits - see Appendix 2 for list of persons met. Limited time was available for the visit to Caprivi, and at the client's request, particular attention was focused on the storage needs of flood-plain maize producers. The terms of reference contain eleven "detailed tasks". To address these in a logical sequence, we have structured the report as follows. Section 2 discusses the needs for new and improved storage, on or off-farm, and at the level of strategic grain reserves. Section 3 discusses key issues in the design of solutions addressing these needs. Section 4 is specific in recommending how these needs should be addressed. Section 5 discusses impact of a SADC free market on our recommended options. The terms of reference do not ask for recommendations concerning the marketing of cereals. However to provide recommendations about off-farm storage, one must first ask for what purpose one is storing. This subject has been investigated by Namibia Resource Consultants (NRC) as part of their study of the Mahangu Market Intelligence Unit (MMIU); we have kept close contact with the NRC study, and given the importance of the subject in deciding on storage policy, have ourselves made some enquiries in the area. Appendix 4 provides our own observations on the marketing of commercial mahangu production

Support of agro-industry in Central America: Final report

This is the final report on a DFID-funded three and a half year project in support of the National Centre for Food Science and Technology (CITA), which belongs to the University of Costa Rica. The aim of the project has been to increase the competitively of agro-industry in Central America and the Caribbean, and it cost £270,000. The information presented in this report indicates significant steps have been made in achieving that goal. The area of quality management has proved a particular area of strength, with CITA focusing its support sequentially upon the needs of particular sub-sectors. The authors make various suggestions about how CITA might build on this and other achievements in the future

The provision of agricultural services through self-help in Sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana case study

In this report, we discuss the findings of the first of four country studies on the provision of agricultural services by co-operatives, groups and other kinds of farmer-controlled enterprises. Group approaches are often encouraged by NGOs and some donors, and there is much to be gained by identifying factors which lead to their success. The objective of this research is to test certain hypotheses about: (a) the types of activity for which FCEs are most suitable; (b) the characteristics which are most often associated with success, and; (c) how FCEs should be promoted

Increasing the involvement of smallholders in high-value horticulture: Lessons from Zimbabwe

This report describes a dialogue with the Zimbabwean horticultural industry, and particularly with the exporter Hortico, which together with Selbys, is one of two horticultural exporters sourcing substantial quantities from smallholders. The aim was to identify and test new approaches that would reduce the risks inherent in such schemes, thereby accelerating their development

The market for cashew nuts and cashew shell liquid

The cashew tree is grown in coastal areas of tropical countries. It has in the past been considered that the crop is only viable when grown in soils unsuitable for other more profitable permanent crops like coconut, rubber and sugar cane. However research in India suggests that high yielding selections and hybrids may prove viable on better soils

The impact of a pre-hospital critical care team on survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

© 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Aim: To assess the impact of a pre-hospital critical care team (CCT) on survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Methods: We undertook a retrospective observational study, comparing OHCA patients attended by advanced life support (ALS) paramedics with OHCA patients attended by ALS paramedics and a CCT between April 2011 and April 2013 in a single ambulance service in Southwest England. We used multiple logistic regression to control for an anticipated imbalance of prognostic factors between the groups. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. All data were collected independently of the research. Results: 1851 cases of OHCA were included in the analysis, of which 1686 received ALS paramedic treatment and 165 were attended by both ALS paramedics and a CCT. Unadjusted rates of survival to hospital discharge were significantly higher in the CCT group, compared to the ALS paramedic group (15.8% and 6.5%, respectively,

NOVEL ROLES FOR TEN-ELEVEN TRANSLOCATION 1 (TET1) 5-METHYLCYTOSINE DIOXYGENASE IN THE CELLULAR RESPONSE TO STRESS

Cells maintain exquisite control over gene expression in the struggle to preserve homeostasis. While some genes remain constitutively active to function in energy production or provide mechanical support, other batteries of genes respond only in the context of specific stresses, and must be silenced when homeostasis is achieved. Numerous transcription factors have been identified as responders to stress, whose gene targets aid in maintaining homeostasis. An additional layer of regulation over the relatively static genetic code involves chemical modifications of histones and DNA, particularly in or near gene promoters. Recent advances in the understanding of such epigenetic changes show that methylation at the 5-carbon position of cytosines neighboring guanosines (CpG) is an important player in the regulation of mammalian genes and chromatin architecture. Moreover, methyl groups can be further modified by in a reaction catalyzed by Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) 5-methylcytosine dioxygenases, whose products were shown to be intermediates in DNA demethylation as well as stable, final products that may have functional relevance. DNA methylation has therefore become increasingly viewed as a dynamic process, yet the proteins regulating epigenetic marks and gene expression remain poorly-understood. Because changes in CpG methylation underlie numerous threats to health, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, these proteins are potential targets in developing biomarkers and in drug development. This dissertation explores the role of TET1 in response to cellular stress. Toward this end, an in vitro approach was taken in order to manipulate TET1 levels and measure the response to toxicant-induced stress. Two major roles for TET1 were elucidated. First, reactive oxygen species generated by exposure to the benzene metabolite hydroquinone (HQ) led to genome-wide and gene-specific CpG demethylation in a TET1-dependent manner. Moreover, cytoprotective genes induced by HQ were dependent TET1, suggesting the protein is involved in transcriptional responses to stress. Secondly, a role for TET1 in the response to DNA damage was uncovered and found to be unrelated to catalytic activity, indicating a novel, non-enzymatic role for TET1. Taken together, these data suggest that TET1 represents a heretofore unappreciated interface between the environment and the cellular response to stress. The findings presented are used to support the underlying hypothesis that TET1 is involved in mediating responses to stresses which would be harmful to the genome if left unconstrained. The idea that TET1 plays a protective role linked to disease is strengthened by reports of nearly uniformly low levels of TET proteins and their products in cancers. Highlighting the role of TET1 as a critical protector of the genome may serve as a foundation upon which a better understanding of the role of DNA methylation in disease may be built. Ultimately, unraveling the protein’s functions – both enzymatic and non-enzymatic - will lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies in diseases involving inappropriate DNA methylation