Agrarian Reform in the Philippine Banana Chain

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of 1986 had been the most far reaching postwar institutional change in rural Philippines. To evaluate the dynamic impact of CARP in the banana sector, we have compared the development of smallholders in both the domestic market and export chains. For exports the reform introduced contract agriculture between cooperatives of small Cavendish banana growers and export firms. Small farmers of banana cultivars like Lakatan supply the crop individually to open domestic market channels. Incomes and living conditions of reform beneficiaries improved significantly compared to former plantation workers wages, but remained below the official family living wage rate. Per Kg. of bananas the income of non-reformed domestic market growers has been of the same magnitudes as for the export chain. However, the percentage of the latter has been much lower in terms of the final consumers' prices. The farmers of the domestic market have also more upgrading opportunities to organize cooperatives and reduce production and transaction costs. The export contract growers have already cooperatives and for upgrading will need the consent of powerful downstream agents in the chain. The reason for the limited impact of CARP is the power concentration by five multinationals and four influential Filipino families, which dominate the profitable wholesale supply and export stages of the banana chain.

A novel method of non-clinical dispatch is associated with a higher rate of critical Helicopter Emergency Medical Service intervention

Background - Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) are a scarce resource that can provide advanced emergency medical care to unwell or injured patients. Accurate tasking of HEMS is required to incidents where advanced pre-hospital clinical care is needed. We sought to evaluate any association between non-clinically trained dispatchers, following a bespoke algorithm, compared with HEMS paramedic dispatchers with respect to incidents requiring a critical HEMS intervention. Methods - Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from two 12-month periods was performed (Period one: 1st April 2014 – 1st April 2015; Period two: 1st April 2016 – 1st April 2017). Period 1 was a Paramedic-led dispatch process. Period 2 was a non-clinical HEMS dispatcher assisted by a bespoke algorithm. Kent, Surrey & Sussex HEMS (KSS HEMS) is tasked to approximately 2500 cases annually and operates 24/7 across south-east England. The primary outcome measure was incidence of a HEMS intervention.Results - A total of 4703 incidents were included; 2510 in period one and 2184 in period two. Variation in tasking was reduced by introducing non-clinical dispatchers. There was no difference in median time from 999 call to HEMS activation between period one and two (period one; median 7 min (IQR 4–17) vs period two; median 7 min (IQR 4–18). Non-clinical dispatch improved accuracy of HEMS tasking to a mission where a critical care intervention was required (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.04–1.51, p = 0.02).Conclusion - The introduction of non-clinical, HEMS-specific dispatch, aided by a bespoke algorithm improved accuracy of HEMS tasking. Further research is warranted to explore where this model could be effective in other HEMS services.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

The Effects of Low Temperature on Metabolism and Survival of Individual Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is one of the few insects capable of thermoregulation. Heat regulation of an isolated individual under the low temperature conditions normally seen in a northern temperate winter are investigated in this thesis. The factors examined are twofold: the variation in thermal output with ambient temperature and the survival potential from a cold comatose state. Individual workers attempted to maintain their body temperature through active thermoregulation. Active heating was pronounced and continuous in the range of thoracic temperatures between 19.l-29.3°C. Oxygen consumption, and corresponding heat production, showed a linear increase with a decrease in ambient temperature in the range of Tambient from 35-12°C (V­O2 = -2.82 x Tambient + 96.64, r2 = 0.94). Large increases in oxygen consumption were seen at temperature differences (Tthorax - Tambient) ≥ 2.0°C (above the physiologic minimum.) At cabinet temperatures below 12.9°C, the oxygen consumption of individuals did not stabilize, but decreased continuously, representing an abrupt cut-off in metabolic capacity seen at the chill coma point. The survival potential of a comatose honey bee is high, with a 51% survival rate seen over all tests. In general, the number of survivors decreased with exposure time and exposure temperature. For all bees over all tests, chill coma temperature was dependent on exposure time, but was not dependent on exposure temperature. Revival time was found to be dependent on both exposure temperature and exposure time. An individual was most likely to survive chill coma if it revived in less than 4 min and under 18°C with passive exogenous heating

Teaching with Socio-Scientific Issues in Physical Science: Teacher and Students’ Experiences

Socio-scientific issues (SSI) are recommended by many science educators worldwide for learners to acquire first hand experience to apply what they learned in class. This investigated experiences of teacher-researcher and students in using SSI in Physical Science, Second Semester, School Year 2012-2013. Latest and controversial news articles on sources of energy were chosen for analysis. Based on the findings, the teacher-researcher was able to choose issues based on a set of criteria and students related what they learned inside the classroom with real life situations and its positive and negative impact to people and environment. A model of learning approach for teaching SSI in Physical Science was proposed

Changing landscapes: Stories of five women farming ecologically

Community and the natural environment have always played an important role in my life. I have had the opportunity in the past few years to explore these areas in more depth. My introduction to Community Psychology during my undergraduate degree exposed me to agricultural initiatives that emphasized community and respect for the environment. I explore these initiatives further by conducting a study (van de Hoef, 1998) of Ontario couples who live self-reliantly (that is, they grow their own food, build their own homes, live off the electricity grid, and find supports in their local communities). Subsequent to that study I have become particularly interested in the experiences of women in alternative settings. This project was motivated by several questions centred specifically around the experiences of women farming ecologically. Ecological farming is defined by Keeney (1989) as agricultural systems that are environmentally sound, profitable, and productive and that maintain the social fabric of the rural community . I am interested in fanning ecologically myself someday. Yet there is a lack of information available about women, especially Canadian women who farm ecologically. This topic is particularly important in the field of community psychology. Although this is the field that introduced me to community agricultural issues, the role of the natural ecology remains unconsidered in most community psychology research. In light of our current ecological crisis and the increasing awareness of the importance of nature in human experience and particularly human health, it is imperative that academic and particularly psychological studies explore human interactions with the natural world. The present study utilized the ecological approach prevalent in community psychology research to explore the contributions of conventional and ecological farming practices to human and natural ecosystem health. l looked specifically at the experiences of women in alternative agricultural settings and the role of nature in their lifestyles. I interviewed five women who farm ecologically in Southern Ontario using a narrative approach. Additionally I interned on an ecological farm and I offer a case study and ethnographic perspective on my experiences. The findings are presented as six individual life story summaries. The stories were collectively summarized and explored using the eight elements of ecological agriculture highlighted by Beus & Dunlap (1990) and Chiappe & Flora (1998). These are independence, community, decentralization, harmony with nature, diversity, restraint, quality of family life, and spirituality. Although the previous studies present these elements as distinct categories, the stories of the present study do not warrant dividing them up in a similar fashion. They are grouped according to the integrations highlighted in the stories. Chiappe & Flora (1998) reported that ecological farming provides more leisure time for families. The stories from the present study do not suggest this. Family and community supports are highlighted in the stories as necessary components of alternative farms. However the stories also indicate that current changes in rural Canadian landscapes and the prevalence of conventional farming philosophies and practices in agricultural areas minimize the accessibility of these supports. Meares (I997) suggests that women’s burdens on ecological farms increase relative to their experiences on conventional farms The women in the present study do indicate high levels of busy-ness and physical exhaustion. However in most cases this again was attributed to a lack of available supports and resources. Finally, current research highlights an important connection between the natural environment and human health. The women’s stories affirm this connection as an important ingredient not only in their individual health but in the health of their families and local communities. In summary, the women’s stories highlight their difficulties of maintaining alternative farm lifestyles in Canada\u27s present rural climate. Yet they also present ecological agriculture as an important model for promoting the health of individuals, families, communities, and the natural environment. This project contributes their voices to Community Psychology literature as well as Canadian literature on ecological agriculture. It offers additional evidence to the Community Psychology field demonstrating the importance of nature and holistic food production in human health. It also documents the process of a non-traditional, yet effective and empowering research approach. Finally, this project provides additional evidence for ecological agriculture as an effective model of health