The impact of mechanized processing of cassava on farmers' production efficiency in Uganda

The study investigates the impact of adopting mechanized processing of cassava on farmers’ production efficiency in Uganda. A stochastic production function, using translog functional form, was used to compare efficiency measures of farmers in mechanized cassava-processing villages compared with the farmers in nonmechanized cassava-processing villages in 2014. Given the specification of the translog production function, the mean technical efficiencies of the farmers were 0.69 and 0.52 in mechanized and nonmechanized villages, respectively. The significant determinants of technical inefficiency among the respondents are farming experience, education, membership of farmer association, access to markets, sale of cassava to processors and farmers who planted cassava as sole crop are all negative, which confirm to a priori expectations and significant at different levels. The policy implication of the study is that mechanization of cassava processing, particularly if done at the right scale, could create demand that can transform primary production for increased yields, higher incomes and production efficiency of smallholder farmers who constitute a significant proportion of Uganda’s agricultural sector

Expression of CD3-ζ on T-cells in primary cervical carcinoma and in metastasis-positive and -negative pelvic lymph nodes

Lymphocytic infiltrate is often present in cervical cancer lesions, possibly reflecting an ongoing, but ineffective, immune response to the tumour. Recently, evidence has accumulated for systemically impaired T-cell functions in cancer patients, associated with decreased expression of signal-transducing zeta (ζ) chain dimer molecules on circulating T-cells and NK-cells. Here, we report on the intralesional down-regulation of ζ chain expression on T-cells in cervical carcinoma. Paraffin-embedded or snap-frozen sections from 24 different cervical cancer specimens were studied. Paraffin-embedded tumour-positive (n = 7) and tumour-negative (n = 15) pelvic lymph nodes were also included in the study. Immunostaining was performed on consecutive sections with antibodies specific for CD3-ɛ or the CD3-associated ζ chain dimer. Antigen retrieval by sodium citrate/microwave treatment was essential for ζ staining of paraffin sections. The amount of ζ positive cells was quantitated and related to the number of CD3-ɛ+ cells in corresponding tumour areas. Of the 24 cervical cancer specimens studied, ζ chain dimer expression was reduced in seven cases and strongly reduced in the other 17 samples. In tonsil control sections, CD3-ɛ and CD3-ζ were always co-expressed in almost equal numbers. Also, both tumour-negative and -positive lymph nodes showed ζ chain expression which equalled that of CD3-ɛ expression. These data indicate that a decreased expression of signal-transducing ζ molecules on tumour-infiltrating T-cells is frequent in cervical cancer. The apparently unimpaired ζ chain expression within draining lymph nodes suggests that local tumour-derived factors at the primary site are instrumental in ζ chain down-regulation. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Association of antigen processing machinery and HLA class I defects with clinicopathological outcome in cervical carcinoma

HLA class I loss is a significant mechanism of immune evasion by cervical carcinoma, interfering with the development of immunotherapies and cancer vaccines. We report the systematic investigation of HLA class I and antigen processing machinery component expression and association with clinical outcome. A tissue microarray containing carcinoma lesions from 109 cervical carcinoma patients was stained for HLA class I heavy chains, β2-microglobulin, LMP2, LMP7, LMP10, TAP1, TAP2, ERAP1, tapasin, calreticulin, calnexin and ERp57. A novel staining evaluation method was used to ensure optimal accuracy and reliability of expression data, which were correlated with known clinicopathological parameters. Partial HLA class I loss was significantly associated with decreased 5-years overall survival (61% vs. 83% for normal expression; P < 0.05) and was associated with decreased 5-years disease-free survival (DFS) (65% vs. 82% for normal expression; P = 0.05). All APM components except LMP10, calnexin and calreticulin were down-regulated in a substantial number of cases and, except ERAP1, correlated significantly with HLA class I down-regulation. LMP7, TAP1 and ERAP1 loss was significantly associated with decreased overall and (except LMP7) DFS (P < 0.05 and 0.005, respectively). ERAP1 down-regulation was an independent predictor for worse overall and DFS in multivariate analysis (HR 3.08; P < 0.05 and HR 2.84; P < 0.05, respectively). HLA class I and APM component down-regulation occur frequently in cervical carcinoma, while peptide repertoire alterations due to ERAP1 loss are a major contributing factor to tumour progression and mortality

Industrial Nationalism versus European Partnerships: An Analysis of State-led Franco-German Inter-firm Linkages

YesThis paper examines the impact of state intervention in French-German inter-firm linkages and discusses the implications of conflicting national interests for the furthering of single market integration. It demonstrates that despite initial success in launching large-scale cross-border alliances in strategic sectors, France and Germany have remained divided by their own industrial nationalism. It argues that their respective attitudes towards industrial policy are less contradictory than would appear at first sight, but that transcending industrial nationalism by Europeanising the notion of economic patriotism would be an essential pre-condition for a more efficient EU-wide industrial policy within a better integrated internal market

The untapped potential of cassava as a food security and industrial crop in eastern and southern Africa: a case study of Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia

Cassava sub-sectors in Eastern and Southern Africa have been neglected for several decades by all concerned sectors. However, experience from other parts of the world suggests that the crop is versatile and that its commercialization could lead to several benefits including food security, industrial uses, income generation, and others. A case study of Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia (commissioned by CFC) has proved that through the use of simple, but appropriate technologies, small-scale farmers and other interested stakeholders can profitably convert raw cassava into different derivative products for different enduses. The same study also determined that several industries in Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia can profitably use cassava derivative products in the manufacture of different consumer items. Estimations undertaken suggest that current demand for the different cassava derivative products, especially High Quality Cassava Flour, is high. The combination of cost differential and the inherent characteristics of the cassava derivative products vis-à-vis the alternative products make the cassava products very competitive. Demand for the same products has been projected to grow steadily in the medium term. The demand-pull emanating from this process will necessarily stimulate a supply response thereby boosting cassava production and, therefore, improve food security in the three countries. However, to ensure sustainability of a commercialized cassava value chain, it is important that all stakeholders along the chain play their respective roles and get adequately rewarded for it. The study identified several challenges that need to be overcome to enable the countries to convert the cassava sub-sectors from subsistence to commercial operations

Safeguarding good health of consumers: the opportunities and challenges of attaining quality compliance for processed cassava products in Africa

In Sub-Saharan Africa, cassava is mainly grown by smallholder farmers who also process the storage roots into traditional food products. However, improper processing techniques combined with climate variability aggravate risks of health hazards caused by residual toxic cyanogens and mycotoxin contamination of the food products. The introduction of improved processing technologies for the production of a diverse range of cassava-based food and industrial products has enhanced the crop's acceptance as a growing urban food item and industrial raw material. Standards for cassava and cassava products are required by regulatory institutions to assist food processors in producing good quality and safe products for consumption and industrial applications. This paper reports the on-going collaboration among national bureaus of standards, regional organizations, national and international research institutions such as IITA, and other value chain actors for developing specifications for cassava and cassava products and providing certification services to the producers. The paper highlights challenges of achieving conformity in national and regional standards in terms of factory hygiene, product quality and safety. The continuing efforts by IITA and partners, under the CFC-ESA and UPoCA projects, in assisting stakeholders alleviate these challenges are presented. Propositions are made for further supports from research, development and sub-regional organizations to address the current challenges of promoting standardization and quality compliance in cassava trade, commerce and industry in Sub-Saharan Africa