Diffusion of information among small-scale farmers in Senegal: the concept of Farmer Field Schools

Recent research on the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach in agriculture in developing countries has raised some doubts on the economic impacts of this concept and especially the knowledge diffusion effects from trained to non-trained farmers. Based on a study in Senegal this paper hypothesizes that the question of the project placement strategy is vital when analyzing knowledge diffusion effects of FFS in Africa. Results show that the share of trained farmers in a community is a decisive factor for adoption behavior and knowledge diffusion. It is concluded that when introducing an FFS, a critical mass of trained farmers is important to attain effective dissemination of information and to generate positive stimuli for adoption and learning among non-participants.Africa,Senegal,agricultural extension,Farmer Field School,diffusion

Small-scale inland fisheries in Africa: How to collect data for poverty assessment?

Accurate poverty assessments in developing countries require efforts to collect detailed household level data. Especially in Africa, such procedures are time consuming, expensive and can be subject to numerous constraints. In this paper we discuss the procedure of the collection of data on consumption, income and assets from poor households involved in small-scale inland fisheries as well as agricultural activities. A sampling scheme has been developed that captures the heterogeneity in ecological conditions and the seasonality of livelihood options. Sampling includes a three point panel survey of 300 households. The respondents belong to four different ethnic groups randomly chosen from three strata representing different ecological zones. In the first part of the paper the methodological framework, the survey design and interview procedure adapted to the conditions in Northern Cameroon is discussed. The second part of the paper presents selected results of the baseline study on consumption, income and assets for different types of households. In addition the record of past ecological, economic and social shocks is presented. --

Diabetes mellitus and co-morbid depression: treatment with milnacipran results in significant improvement of both diseases (results from the Austrian MDDM study group)

Co-morbid depression is common in patients with diabetes mellitus and has a negative impact on diabetes self-care, adherence to treatment and the development of complications. Effective treatment of depression has been associated with improvement in metabolic parameters. We evaluated the feasibility of a two question screen for co-morbid depression in diabetic patients and studied the effect of the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant, milnacipran, on metabolic and psychological parameters in 64 type 2 diabetic patients with co-morbid depression. The severity of depression was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Patients received milnacipran, and diabetes was treated according to the guidelines of the Austrian Diabetes Association in a 6-month open label study. Metabolic parameters and BDI were measured at baseline and after 1, 3 and 6 months. 46 patients satisfied the criteria for an antidepressant response (reduction of baseline BDI score of at least 50%). Hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, body mass index, total and LDL-cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels were all significantly decreased in these patients at the end of the study whereas in antidepressant non-responders these parameters were not significantly changed. Diagnosis and treatment of depression is an important factor for the improvement of metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and co-morbid depression

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I with bone abnormalities, mutations of the CDAN I gene, and significant responsiveness to alpha-interferon therapy

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I (CDA I) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with ineffective erythropoiesis, characteristic morphological abnormalities of erythroblasts, and iron overloading. CDA I is caused by mutations in the CDAN I gene, encoding a protein named codanin-1. Complex bone abnormalities, especially syndactyly, have not been systematically described with this disease. We present two cases of morphologically and genetically confirmed CDA I with striking bone abnormalities and response to treatment with alpha-interferon. Our cases clearly document the association of skeletal anomalism with CDA I and indicate that codanin-1 may play a role in the development of the skeleto