Developing and Simulating a Communication Plan for Mitigation of Secondary Crashes: Leveraging Connected Vehicle Technologies

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has identified secondary crashes (SCs) on United States (US) highways as one of the core transportation issues that needs to be addressed. These crashes contribute to increased property damage, injuries, and fatalities and a decline in traffic flow conditions on freeways and adjacent arterials. The purpose of this study was to 1) propose a communication plan that leverages connected vehicle (CV) technologies to increase awareness to road users to target the mitigation of SCs, and 2) to evaluate the potential benefits of the proposed communication plan with CV technologies in alleviating SCs. This study used VISSIM microscopic software to model a freeway road segment on Florida’s Turnpike system and Lyons Road, a parallel arterial. The software was used to replicate the proposed communication plan and CV applications to issue advisories, such as speed, lane-change, or detour advisory to drivers during an incident. A safety evaluation was performed using the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) software by importing trajectory files from VISSIM to analyze generated traffic conflicts. The change in the number of simulated conflicts was used to evaluate the mitigation of SCs. The results showed significant safety benefits using the proposed communication plan with CV technologies. A conflict reduction of up to 98% was observed with full penetration of CVs at low traffic volume. Statistical analysis indicated that different penetration rates of CVs were required to achieve significant safety benefits depending on the analyzed scenario, i.e., traffic volume, number of lanes closed, side of the road the lane is closed, and dissemination of detour advisory

Seven seasons of learning and engaging smallholder farmers in the drought-prone areas of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia through Tropical Legumes, 2007–2014

Tropical Legumes II (TL II) is a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sponsored project implemented by three International Agricultural Research Centers – International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The project aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the drought-prone areas of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA) through improved productivity and production of six major grain legumes – chickpea, common bean, cowpea, groundnut, pigeonpea and soybean. The project activities were implemented in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe in SSA, and India and Bangladesh in SA. The project has been running for the past two phases: Phase I (2007 – 2011) and Phase II (2012 – 2014). The project is designed to help the smallholder farmers to overcome constraints, such as drought, pests, diseases and lack of improved seed varieties. TL II is expected to enhance the productivity by at least 20% through increased adoption covering 30% of legume area, strengthening national breeding programs and generating at least $1.3 billion in added value. This has resulted in significant achievements. The active breeding programs are now in place in all 15 countries. New seed varieties (163) have been released and are fast replacing the old ruling seed varieties. Thirty seven national partners were trained at MSc and PhD levels. As a result of the enhanced skills and knowledge of seed value chain actors, seed production significantly increased by 221$448 million has been generated from the project funding and nearly $976 million from the project and investment partners. Even when using the adoption rates data from adoption and expert opinion surveys, the aggregate gross benefits from TL II-related modern legume varieties is estimated at about$978 million, which is still far above the total TL II investment grossly compounded at $48 million. In effect, for each dollar invested, the project generated$9 with direct project investment or $20 with partnership’s investment and again$20 when using adoption rate based estimate. These successes and associated challenges will be discussed in detail in subsequent chapters of this book

The potential of Sport for Development and Peace for the reconciliation of Alavanyo and Nkonya

학위논문(석사)--서울대학교 대학원 :사범대학 체육교육과,글로벌스포츠매니지먼트전공,2019. 8. 이충근.건강, 빈곤, 좋은 인간관계 등 삶의 다양한 부문에서 발전을 이루기 위한 스포츠의 잠재력은 학문적, 사회적 주제가 되었다. 유엔과 노벨상 수상자인 Bishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu와 Nelson Mandela와 같은 세계적인 사람들은 스포츠의 힘을 강조할 것을 주장했다. 국제적 위기를 직면하여 스포츠는 빈곤해소, 교육, 건강, 갈등, 그리고 전쟁에 대한 효과적인 도구로 확인되었다. 가나에서 대부분의 공동체의 평화를 해친 갈등의 근원은 토지분쟁, 정치적 우월주의, 계승, 종교적 폭력 등 다양한 부족 및 인종 간 갈등이다. Alavanyo와 Nkonya의 갈등은 가나에 존재하는 가장 큰 갈등 중 하나로, 한 세기 전 토지 분쟁으로 인해 시작되었다. 스포츠는 가나의 여러 가지 근본적인 차이를 통합하기 위한 헌법적 의무를 가진 사나 사회의 필수 요소이다. 많은 근본적 갈등이 나타났을 때 스포츠는 가나인들의 사회에서 거대한 통합을 촉진하는 주요한 도구이다. 다양한 갈등 집단의 화해도 역시 스포츠 개발과 평화 발의를 통하는 스포츠의 핵심 요소이다. 이 연구는 풀뿌리 활동과 스포츠 이벤트에 대한 독창적인 접근 방식을 취한다. Alavanyo와 Nkonya 사람들은 그들 스스로 이러한 이벤트를 조직화한다. 이 연구는 전문적인 지원을 통해 더 큰 영향의 가능성을 확인하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 사회적 사건의 의미를 해석하는 방법은 이 연구에서 분석의 기초가 되었다. 이 연구는 Alavanyo와 Nkonya 공동체 내에서 개인 수준부터 공동체 간 수준까지 이르는 기초적인 스포츠 활동의 존재를 입증한다. 더욱이, 스포츠는 Alavanyo와 Nkonya의 한 세기를 걸친 갈등의 해결 과정에서 보조도구로서 의미 있게 기여할 기회를 가진다. 이들에게는 축구와 배구, 그리고 놀이에 대한 흥미와 같은 공통적인 스포츠가 존재한다. 뿐만 아니라, 주민들은 다양한 성공 가능성을 가진 스포츠를 통해 그들 스스로 플랫폼을 만들고자 시도해왔다. 한 때, 스포츠가 지역의 긴장을 완화했다는 사실은 시간이 지남에 따라 양 측의 교류과 혼합을 허용함으로써 스포츠의 전문가들과 함께 조직화 되면 희망이 될 것이다. 갈등의 지속 기간은 Alavanyo와 Nkonya 지역의 변화와 발전에 대한 갈망과 일치한다. 이 연구는 긴장이나 전쟁과 같은 불쾌한 기억 뿐인 사람들의 이주에 대처하기 위해서는 이 지역이 필요한 변화를 빠르게 추적하고 대처할 것을 제안한다. Alavanyo와 Nkonya 보다 더 복잡한 상황에 있는 남아프리카 공화국처럼 관련 당국이 지역의 차이를 해소하기 위한 공동의 노력에 집중하는 것이 성공 가능성이 가장 높다. 두 지역이 총 화해를 위해서는 화해를 향한 단계에 관한 유사 시스템을 개발하거나 Auerbach의 화해의 계층구조를 고려해야 한다. 따라서 가나의 정부와 스포츠 당국이 스포츠의 많은 혜택을 실현하고 갈등 해결에 대한 전략을 채택하는 기회를 활용하기 위해 진지하게 고려할 것을 제안한다. 우리는 SDP 조직이 아프리카 지역의 가나 및 다른 국가의 개발활동을 위해 스포츠를 활용하고 성장하도록 지원할 것을 당부한다.The potential in the power of sport for achieving development at various sectors of life—spanning health, to poverty, to good human relations—has become a topic of both academic and social discourse. Both the United Nations and world-renowned individuals like the Noble Prize winner Bishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu and Nelson Mandela have made elaborate claims emphasizing the power of sports. Confronting Global crises, sport identified as an effective tool for poverty reduction, education, health, conflicts, and war. In Ghana, one devastating root of conflicts that has marred tranquility in most communities is tribal/ethnic conflicts precipitated by land disputes, political supremacy, succession, religious violence, among various others. The Alavanyo and Nkonya conflict is one of the longest still existing conflicts in Ghana. It started due to a land boundary dispute about a century ago. Sports is an integral part of Ghanas society with a constitutional mandate of integrating the many fundamental differences in the country. Marked with many underlying conflicts, sports is a major tool to foster greater inclusion in the Ghanaian society. Reconciliation among various conflicting groups is also at the heart of sports through the Sports for Development and Peace initiative. This research took a unique approach of accessing grass root activities and sports events. The people of Alavanyo and Nkonya among themselves organized these events. The purpose is to ascertain the possibilities of greater impact through deploying professional assistance. How one interprets the meaning of a social occurrence formed the rudiments of analysis used in this research. The research proves that fundamental sporting activities exist within the Alavanyo and Nkonya communities even at the individual level, to the inter-community level. Indeed sports has chances of making meaningful contributions to the Alavanyo and Nkonyas century long conflict resolution process as an auxiliary tool. There is an existence of common sports such as Football and Volleyball, and an interest to play together. In addition, residents have tried various attempts to create for themselves platforms through sports with various degrees of success. The fact that sports has once lightened tensions in the region—to allow trade and shuttling between the two sides in times past, create hopes of its impact—if more organized, with the involvement of sports for peace experts. The longevity of the conflict matches the hunger of some people in the Alavanyo and Nkonya region for change and development. This suggests the readiness of the region for innovative initiatives to help fast track the needed change to counter the migration of people, and the association of the region with nothing but the unpleasant memories of tension and war. As occurred in post-apartheid South Africa, which has a more complicated situation compared to that of Alavanyo and Nkonya, expectations are that when relevant authorities are involved with a concerted effort to resolve the differences in the land—achieving success is most probable. All that is required is to engage all affected parties taking into consideration Auerbachs hierarchy of reconciliation or developing a similar system to guide steps towards total reconciliation in the region. It is therefore encouraged that the government and sports authorities in Ghana should take it more seriously—realizing the many benefits of sports, and exploit its chances in strategies drawn for conflict resolution in the country. We implore SDP organizations to look favorably on supporting the planting and growth of sports for development activities in Ghana and other countries in the African sub region.Abstract iii List of Tables x List of Figures x Chapter 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2. Careful Use of Sport 4 1.3. Impact of Sports in Africa 6 1.4. Alavanyo and Nkonya Conflict in Ghana 7 1.5. Statement of Problem 14 1.6. Significance of the Study 15 1.7 Research Questions 16 Chapter 2. Literature Review 18 2.1. Theoretical Review 18 2.1.1. Peace 18 2.1.2. Peace-building 20 2.1.3. Reconciliation 24 2.2. Youth Development through Sport 28 2.2.1. Youth 28 2.2.2. Sport 30 2.2.3. Youth and sports for development 31 2.3. Previous Research on Sport for Development and Peace 32 2.3.1. Implication of previous research 40 Chapter 3. Methodology 42 3.1. Research Method – Qualitative 42 3.2. Study Population and Sample 42 3.2.1. Sampling: 43 3.3 Measures 44 3.4. Strategy of Inquiry 45 3.4.1. Focused group interviews: 45 3.5. Data Analysis (Interpretivism) 47 3.6. Ethical Cosiderations 48 Chapter 4. Results 49 4.1. Participants/Respondents 49 4.2. Results and Interpretation 51 4.2.1 Early introduction 52 4.2.2. Values based 54 4.2.3. Commonality 56 4.2.4 Belongingness 57 4.2.5. Timing 58 4.2.6. Existing Interest 62 4.2.7. Prioritization/Availability 64 4.2.8. Challenges 65 4.2.9. The potential (future) of sports 67 Chapter 5. Discussion and conclusion 70 5.1. Discussion 70 5.2. Limitations of this research 73 5.3. Recommendations for Further Study 75 5.4. Recommendations for Relevant Authorities 75 5.4. Conclusion 77 BIBLIOGRAPHY 80 Appendix A 85 Appendix B 86 국 문 초 록 88Maste

Produ��o de sementes de culturas alimentares na regi�o da SADC

Criado para tratar os temas que limitam o acesso de fazendeiros em pequena escala, na �frica sub-Saara, para que possuam recursos para obterem colheitas de sementes de qualidade, das quais eles dependem para a obten��o dos alimentos e � o seu pr�prio meio de vida. Esta cole��o de artigos descreve os princ�pios bem sucedidos para as experi�ncias em comunidades que possuem produ��es de sementes. Entre outras coisas, os textos analisar�o o sistema de produ��o normal de sementes e seus modelos, propor�o caminhos para criar esquemas bem sucedidos para as comunidades que produzam sementes, descrever�o as pr�ticas pr�prias da produ��o de sementes para cereais seletos, plantas vegetativamente propagadas e outras colheitas, e esquematizar�o as pr�ticas b�sicas de neg�cios para os produtores de sementes.Produ��o de sementes, prote��o dos alimentos, qualidade, propaga��o de plantas, colheitas, modelos, fazendeiros, alian�as, pequenas fazendas, administra��o de neg�cios, �frica do Sul, Crop Production/Industries, F03,

Bulletin of Tropical Legumes

The Bulletin of Tropical Legumes is a quarterly publication of the Tropical Legumes III (TL III) project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and jointly implemented by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi- Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in close collaboration with partners in the national agricultural research systems of target countries in sub- Saharan Africa and South Asia. TL III aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in drought-prone areas of the two regions through enhanced productivity and production of grain legumes

15 Years of Pearl Millet Improvement in the SADC Region

Pearl millet improvement under the SADC/ ICRISAT Sorghum and Millet Improvement Program (SMIP)originally focused on two major objectives. The first was to lay the foundation for making improved varieties widely available to farmers in the region. This was to be achieved by supplying national breeding programs with enhanced germplasm and information they could use to stabilize yields in their specific environments. The second was to raise the level of expertise available for the breeding, production, and utilization of pearl millet, contributing to development of strong national programs with the capacity to generate and test elite germplasm. Significant progress has been made towards these objectives. The pearl millet germplasm from southern Africa have been collected, characterized, and conserved. The regional facility holds well over 7000 pearl millet germplasm accessions from around the wor ld, 3082 of which are of SADC origin. Sixteen pearl millet varieties originating from this project have been released in five SADC countries: Malawi (2), Namibia (4), Tanzania (2) , Zambia (4) , and Zimbabwe (4) . These varieties currently occupy 2-45% of the total pearl millet area in these countries. Functional millet breeding programs have been established in nine countries, among them Namibia where a successful seed development and delivery system was developed from scratch, Malawi, Namibia, and Tanzania are now in the process of redefining their breeding priorities through farmer-participatory methods. An IPM package for control of the armored bush cricket has been successfully implemented in Namibia and Zambia. Over 80 scientists and 200 technicians have been trained in crop improvement, agronomy, crop protection, seed production, and quality control; and this training has helped national programs upgrade their skills and experience. SMIP recognizes that a strong regional scientific capability and the technical advances made in the development and dissemination of improved varieties provide a solid foundation for increasing farm-level productivity and incomes. If the ful l potential of this foundation is to be realized and the ultimate goal of the program fulfilled, SMIP must now address three important issues: seed delivery systems, broader stakeholder input into technology development, and commercialization of pearl millet

Small-scale farmers venture into commercial seed production

There is virtually no seed of improved semi-arid crops (like pearl millet, sorghum, cowpeas. and groundnuts) sold on the market in southern Africa, in-spite of the importance of these crops to the livelihoods of people in semi-arid tropics in the region. To address this shortcoming, ICRISAT is collaborating with Commutech, a nongovernmental organization, and two private seed companies, the Seed Company of Zimbabwe (Seed Co.) and PANNAR, in a pilot project on on-farm commercial seed production by small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe. The project was initiated during the 1999/2000 season in Wards 9 and 13. Tsholotsho district, Matabeleland North, and Ward 21. Chivi district. Over 600 farmers operating in groups of 20 to 30 are participating with each allocating 1 to 3 ha for the production of seed of pearl millet variety PMV 3 and sorghum variety Macia

Reducing child undernutrition through dietary diversification, reduced aflatoxin exposure, and improved hygiene practices: the immediate impacts in central Tanzania

Open Access Article; Published online: 28 Nov 2019The study aimed to quantify the immediate effects of dietary diversification, food safety, and hygiene interventions on child undernutrition in four rural villages in Kongwa district of central Tanzania. One hundred mothers with their children of less than 24 months old were recruited for this study. The difference-in-difference (DID) method was used to assess the effects of intensive intervention through a learning-by-doing process on the topic of aflatoxin free diversified food utilization and improved hygiene practices. Periodic anthropometric measurements were conducted on the 0th, 7th, 14th, and 21st days, and DID estimator showed the significant and positive average marginal effects of the intervention on Z-Scores being 0.459, 0.252, and 0.493 for wasting, stunting, and underweight, respectively. Notably, at the end of the study, the mean aflatoxin M1 level in urine samples decreased by 64% in the intervention group, while it decreased by 11% in the control group. The study provides quantitative evidence on intensive 21-day training for mothers incorporating integrated technologies yielded positive impacts on their children’s nutritional outcomes

Cowpea, groundnut intensifying in Mali

Trends and outlook described for the two main grain legume crops grown in Mali. Cowpea, an indigenous drought-hardy grain legume grown for both food and livestock fodder, is gaining the added dimension of a cash crop due to strong demand from a growing population. Gearing up seed systems to meet the need for improved varieties is a challenge - but even more so for Mali's groundnut crop

Strategy of SADCC/ICRISAT Regional Programme on the Improvement of Sorghum and Millets as Forages

Outlines the strategy of SADCC/ICRISAT regional programme on the improvement of sorghum and millets as forages. Looks into results of the cereal forage yield trial, forage sorghum introduction nursery, breeding programme and 1988-89 evaluation trials. Lists the main collaborators on a country wise basis