A pragmatist context-based assessment of the economic implications of eating patterns in a small sub-Saharan developing economy: Focus on Togo

Healthy nutrition is recognized as essential to a productive workforce and strategic in preventing healthcare costs. Meanwhile, food supply system proficiency requires socially coherent organizational efficiency. Sub-Saharan Africa is widely presented in agro-food economics literature as a cultural block whereas it enfolds context-specific nations with specific biophysical and historical ties. This thesis aims to determine the importance of investigating country-specific diets’ effects on economic welfare. Equally, it emphases national food system governance on which globalization, socio-economic and demographic transitions are increasingly influential. Normative, critical and grounded in poststructuralism and cultural/relativist pragmatism, the thesis shifts focus from generic material challenges emphasized in economic reports to gaps in substance and framework of Sub-Saharan Africa food economy studies. Suggesting that policy failure largely owes to the lack of focus on the nurture side of policy-formulation equations, the nature of information and how information is sought are emphasized as paramount problematics. Consequently, an in-depth qualitative investigation on Togo is undertaken. It entails a cross-sectoral analysis of data from the public/private food and healthcare sectors and civil society. Critical ethnography and alethic hermeneutics methodologies induced dialogue-provoking discussions with local respondents via surveys, semi-structured/structured interviews and observation through both social immersion and distance. The insider scrutiny aims to uncover valuable metadata possibly unobservable in nonspecific/quantitative studies. Informed by a multidisciplinary abductive reasoning, theoretical frameworks underscore concepts as value chain governance, new governance, global value chain, food anthropology- social psychology, demography and fertility linked to food supply concerns. Jointly, from a philosophical position, implications of individual liberty, societal values/norms on diet and economic productivity are also considered. Such approach, targeting a holistic understanding of links between diet and economic status while shifting from generic to specific paradigms and from traditional empirical value system to ethicist/normative value system, has proven to be relevant. Results suggest that some patterns/trends in literature as dietary evolutions’ links to demographic transition for instance are applicable. However particular historical and socio-political contexts trigger a spectrum of varied reactions. This applies to nutrition knowledge, perception regarding food types, agricultural work, collaboration, or state-civil society power relationship. Biophysical components also contribute in the span of historical and dietary constructs and social stratification of cultural groups. Dismissing a non-normative governance theory, the thesis concludes that because nutrition status reflects governance model and power balance between civil society and food/healthcare stakeholders, policy must be integrative and considerate of the merits of traditional values within their biophysical and cultural context. In pursuit of efficient and sustainable model of governance, the thesis indicates windows of opportunity for further qualitative studies on food-related challenges at the state level in Sub-Saharan Africa as to highlight other concealed influential factors. This calls for perspectives closer to specific needs and motivations of local populations, major players in social transformation

Stem–loop RNA labeling can affect nuclear and cytoplasmic mRNA processing

The binding of sequence-specific RNA-interacting proteins, such as the bacteriophage MS2 or PP7 coat proteins, to their corresponding target sequences has been extremely useful and widely used to visualize single mRNAs in vivo. However, introduction of MS2 stem–loops into yeast mRNAs has recently been shown to lead to the accumulation of RNA fragments, suggesting that the loops impair mRNA decay. This result was questioned, because fragment occurrence was mainly assessed using ensemble methods, and their cellular localization and its implications had not been addressed on a single transcript level. Here, we demonstrate that the introduction of either MS2 stem–loops (MS2SL) or PP7 stem–loops (PP7SL) can affect the processing and subcellular localization of mRNA. We use single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) to determine the localization of three independent mRNAs tagged with the stem–loop labeling systems in glucose-rich and glucose starvation conditions. Transcripts containing MS2SL or PP7SL display aberrant localization in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. These defects are most prominent in glucose starvation conditions, with nuclear mRNA processing being altered and stem–loop fragments abnormally enriching in processing bodies (PBs). The mislocalization of SL-containing RNAs is independent of the presence of the MS2 or PP7 coat protein (MCP or PCP)

Stem-loop RNA labeling can affect nuclear and cytoplasmic mRNA processing

The binding of sequence-specific RNA-interacting proteins, such as the bacteriophage MS2 or PP7 coat proteins, to their corresponding target sequences has been extremely useful and widely used to visualize single mRNAs in vivo. However, introduction of MS2 stem–loops into yeast mRNAs has recently been shown to lead to the accumulation of RNA fragments, suggesting that the loops impair mRNA decay. This result was questioned, because fragment occurrence was mainly assessed using ensemble methods, and their cellular localization and its implications had not been addressed on a single transcript level. Here, we demonstrate that the introduction of either MS2 stem–loops (MS2SL) or PP7 stem–loops (PP7SL) can affect the processing and subcellular localization of mRNA. We use single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) to determine the localization of three independent mRNAs tagged with the stem–loop labeling systems in glucose-rich and glucose starvation conditions. Transcripts containing MS2SL or PP7SL display aberrant localization in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. These defects are most prominent in glucose starvation conditions, with nuclear mRNA processing being altered and stem–loop fragments abnormally enriching in processing bodies (PBs). The mislocalization of SL-containing RNAs is independent of the presence of the MS2 or PP7 coat protein (MCP or PCP).ISSN:1355-8382ISSN:1469-900

EMMA2 Recommendations Report

The document provides the most important recommendations derived by analysing the results of the project European Airport Movement Management by A-SMGCS, part 2 (EMMA2), an Integrated Project launched by the European Commission in its sixth framework programme. EMMA2 developed a generic operational concept (SPOR) for higher-level A-SMGCS services, implemented the essential parts of the concept at three European airports, and performed comprehensive trials in simulation and in the field to evaluate the new services. Multiple higher-level A-SMGCS services and their evaluation in several different test campaigns produced many meaningful recommendations, which will enable future research activities and industrial implementations to take the EMMA2 experiences into account in order not to start from scratch but to seamlessly build upon the large amount of knowledge accumulated by EMMA2. This document provides the reader with recommendations on the operating procedures, the technical requirements and the operational requirements, and addresses specific recommendations to be considered when implementing higher-level A-SMGCS services

Validation Comparative Analysis Report

The document starts with a table for quick and easy reference, so that there is a clear link between a certain test site, the validated services, the validation platform and technique used, and the respective chapter in this document (Chapter 2). In general, this document has been structured in accordance with the EMMA2 SPOR document and it separates the validated A-SMGCS services into air traffic controller (Chapter 3), flight crew (Chapter 4), and vehicle driver services (Chapter 5). Within each of these service categories A-SMGCS is divided into surveillance, control, routing and planning, and guidance services. Results are then presented for each of the test sites that validated the service under consideration, which allows for comparing the results and analysing them in a more coherent way. In order to give a better overview of the manifold results, Chapter 6 will summarise them, highlight the most outstanding issues in comparing and analysing them and present the lessons learnt in conclusion. Thus, the document serves as input for the EMMA2 recommendations

Bi-stable spin-crossover in charge-neutral [Fe(R-ptp)(2)] (ptp=2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyridine) complexes

Bi-stable charge-neutral iron(II) spin-crossover (SCO) complexes are a class of switchable molecular materials proposed for molecule-based switching and memory applications. In this study, we report on the SCO behavior of a series of iron(II) complexes composed of rationally designed 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyridine (ptp) ligands. The powder forms of [Fe2+(R-ptp(-))(2)](0) complexes tethered with less-bulky substituents-R = H (1), R = CH2OH (2), and R = COOCH3 (3; previously reported)-at the 4-position of the pyridine ring of the ptp skeleton showed abrupt and hysteretic SCO at or above room temperature (RT), whereas complex 5 featuring a bulky pyrene substituent showed incomplete and gradual SCO behavior. The role of intermolecular interactions, lattice solvent, and electronic nature of the chemical substituents (R) in tuning the SCO of the complexes is elucidated

Substituent-dependent spin-state switching in isomeric iron(II) complexes: from bi-stable spin-state switching with T1/2 centred at room temperature to trapped high-spin state

Spin-state switching in iron(II) complexes composed of ligands featuring moderate ligand-field strength—for example, 2,6-bi(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (BPP)—is dependent on many factors—examples include lattice solvent, counter anion, and substituent. Herein, we show that spin-state switching in isomeric iron(II) complexes (1·CH3CN and 2) composed of tridentate all nitrogen coordinating ligands—ethyl 2,6-bis(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)isonicotinate (BPP-COOEt, L1) and (2,6-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-4-yl)methylacetate (BPP-CH2OCOMe, L2)—is controlled by the nature of substituent at the fourth position of the pyridine ring of the BPP skeleton. Complex 1·CH3CN, crystallized with acetonitrile solvent, undergoes abrupt and hysteretic spin-state switching, hence bistable switching, with a thermal hysteresis width (ΔT1/2) of 44 K and switching temperature (T1/2) = 298 K in the first cycle. Conversely, the isomeric counterpart of 1·CH3CN—complex 2—crystallized with no lattice solvent; the complex was trapped in the high-spin (HS) state upon cooling from 300 K. Molecular structures of the LS and HS forms of complex 1·CH3CN revealed that spin-state switching induces a pronounced angular distortion, creating an energy barrier separating the LS and HS states. Traversing the barrier requires substantial molecular rearrangement in the presence of constraints imposed by the crystal lattice, rendering the spin-state switching of 1·CH3CN hysteretic in the solid-state. The observation of bistable spin-state switching with T1/2 centred at room temperature for 1·CH3CN as well as the attribution of pronounced angular distortion and conformational variation of the COOEt substituent as causes behind the observed hysteretic spin-state switching indicates that technologically relevant spin-state switching profiles based on mononuclear iron(II) complexes can be obtained

X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction at wavelengths near the K-absorption edge of phosphorus.

International audiencePhosphorus is an abundant element in living organisms. It is traceable by its X-ray absorption spectrum which shows a strong white line at its K-edge, comparable with that observed for the L(III) edges of rare earth ions. With purple membrane, the variation of the imaginary part of the anomalous dispersion of phosphorus is found to be close to 20 anomalous electron units. Anomalous diffraction experiments at wavelengths near the K-absorption edge of phosphorus confirm this result. The spatial distribution of lipids derived from anomalous diffraction agrees with earlier results from neutron diffraction. Test experiments on single crystals of the carrier protein using 5.76 A photons gave a first low-resolution diffraction pattern. Various techniques of crystal mounting were attempted. In addition, fluorescence measurements on a solution of threonine synthase appear to hint at a change of the phosphate environment of the cofactor upon activator binding