Gender and Inclusion Toolbox: Participatory Research in Climate Change and Agriculture

This manual is a resource and toolbox for NGO practitioners and programme designers interested in diagnostic and action research for gender sensitive and socially inclusive climate change programmes in the rural development context. It is meant to be an easy to use manual, increasing the research capacity, skills and knowledge of its users. Integrating gender and social differentiation frameworks should ideally begin from the start of the programme cycle and be coordinated throughout research, design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation phases. The data gathered using this toolbox supports this programme work. While the manual emphasizes participatory and qualitative approaches, many of the activities and tools can produce quantitative data. Each chapter features a bundle of research tools intended to be used sequentially. However, we know that each organization has its diverse needs. The chapters are in modular format so that teams can assemble their own research toolbox specific to their needs

Alcoholic Beverages in Bangladesh-How Much We Know?

Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the names and alcohol content or strength of different alcoholic beverages used in different parts of Bangladesh and also to determine contamination with heavy metals and bacteria in some samples.\ud \ud Methods: Eight different types of alcoholic beverages consumed in different parts of Bangladesh were collected and studied in the laboratory of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR). Before sending to the laboratory, samples were stored in a refrigerator at temperature 4-8 degree Celsius. In all samples, strength of ethanol content was studied. Among the samples, Dochuani and Tari was tested for heavy metal, Chubichi and Pochani studied for total viable micro-bacterial contamination.\ud \ud Results: In this study one sample was from Khagrachari (Hilly area) not been reported as manufacture site by the Department of narcotics control of Bangladesh before. Out of eight samples, one was of a Brand company (Keru & Co) and others homemade. Highest concentration, 81.56% was observed in Spirit followed by 37.7% in Dochuani and lowest 2.2% in Tari. Insignificant amount of heavy metal detected in Dochuani and Tari. There was no viable micro-bacterial contamination in samples tested.\ud \ud Conclusions: Without knowing the strength, people are using different types of homemade alcoholic beverages as such in a risk of health hazards as well as death. A national survey need to be conducted to obtain how many types of alcoholic beverages being manufactured, their strength and true picture of alcohol use so that strategy plan can be developed of its healthy use if needed at all

Closing the Relevance Gap: Lessons in Co-Developing Gender Transformative Research Approaches with Development Partners and Communities

The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) Theme Linking Knowledge with Action (K2A) engaged in a two-year social learning process to develop tools, best practices and capacity building trainings around gender sensitive and participatory research for climate change. The output was the resource guide, “Gender and Inclusion Toolbox: Participatory Research in Climate Change and Agriculture”. This paper documents the social learning process of co-designing and co-testing the toolbox with various development partners, CGIAR scientists, technical officers and local communities and offers key reflections and learning on the challenges and entry points to promoting a participatory and gender sensitive research agenda across upstream and downstream stakeholders

Lessons in Theory of Change: Gender and Inclusion

Lessons learned from working with gender and social inclusion within the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS)

Participatory approaches for gender-sensitive research design

The focus of climate-smart agriculture CSA) research is often on creating technological solutions to climate problems. Yet female and male farmers differ in terms of their vulnerability to climate change and the ways in which they benefit from technical interventions. We believe that targeting women with CSA practices, technology and information offers the greatest opportunity to increase the adaptive capacity of smallholder farming communities. This brief compiles some of the lessons learned while carrying out participatory action research activities and methodologies

Efficient Algorithm for Power Allocation in Relay-based Cognitive Radio Network

This paper addresses a cognitive radio (CR) network scenario where a relay is assigned to mitigate interference to primary users (PUs). We develop an average probability of successful secondary transmission (PSST) to introduce relay in the CR network. The power allocation is done using dual domain concept to maximize the system throughput as well as maintaining interference to an acceptable level and this approach is implemented in our paper that has a higher convergence rate. Furthermore, we propose an alternative approach that maintains a high throughput and at the same time reduces the computational complexity significantly. A detailed analysis is done before simulation. The simulated results validate the theoretical analysis

EXAMINES ACADEMIC LIBRARY USERS’ EXPERIENCE TOWARDS LIBRARY PATRONAGE IN STATE UNIVERSITIES IN SRI LANKA

Libraries and information centers are service units held with the responsibility of providing varied information services based on a number of resources. It covers tangible assets, namely library building, equipment, furniture, information resources and staff. The intangible element has been the information services provided by the libraries. The tangible assets and intangible services of libraries are changing greatly due to the development and changes in the area of information technology. The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate to accomplish the relationship between Service Quality dimensions, customer experience (CE) library patronage (LP) and library user attitude (LUA) in the context of university library service quality in Sri Lanka. In addition, it investigates the mediating effect of customer experience in the relationship between dimensions of library service quality and the library patronage.  Article visualizations

ACADEMIC LIBRARY USERS’ EXPERIENCE: A REVIEW ON RELATED CONCEPTS AND EMPIRICAL IMPLICATION

In order to answer the questions raised to guide this study, there is need to review previous literature that relates to variables understudied. Also, to operationally define key concepts used for this study to ensure clarity of the concepts. Literature review shows a vibrant section and significant untouched materials to structure the infrastructure of a precise subject component in whichever category of a research study. It is conducted to obtain a clear consideration about the precise area of study. The literature review is arranged developing themes directly drawn from the literature, chronologically and thematically in this study. Researchers followed literature Review as the main methodology to review the existing empirical knowledge to build conceptual content to support for the proposed research directions. The findings provide the insights on how empirical findings being shared in literature reviews connecting the concept of Band Citizenship behavior and related concepts and implications. Based on the discussion, postulate the future research directions in line with the empirical knowledge gaps found within.  Article visualizations

Potential impact and controversy of stem cells in public health

Stem cells are versatile in the bodies which are able to both reproduce themselves and to produce more specialized cells. As such, they are of great potential values in repairing and regenerating damaged cells and tissues. Many different kinds of stem cells have been discovered. The most common are embryonic, foetal and adult stem cells. Stem cell research has the potential to provide an increased understanding of development and differentiation, as well as leading to treatments and cures for many diseases. They are important to the future of medicine and public health because with adequate research, stem cells have the potential to treat degenerative conditions through transplanting human stem cells into patients. With sufficient development of stem cell medicine, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease will be effectively managed. Embryonic stem cell (ESC) research has been a source of ethical, legal, and social controversy which has slowed the pace of stem cell science and shaped many aspects of its subsequent development

Moving from Knowledge to Action: Blogging research and outcome highlights

This blog book tells the story of CCAFS research theme ‘Linking Knowledge with Action’; its approach and lessons learned throughout the years, especially 2014, while illustrating its many achievements through blogs and photos