The human bias in shipbuilding decision-making. Case study STX-OSV Søviknes

Confidential until 25 May 201

Analyze of Domestic Price Incentives for Rice Production in MALI

In Mali, rice is the subject of particular attention in terms of public policies. The authorities encourage its production to provide income for producers, for domestic consumption and for a net exporting country. However, local rice remains highly competitive with imported rice.In addition, food insecurity across the country is a major developmental issue that threatens health, productivity and often the survival of the population. This study helps overcome developmental problems due to food insecurity, which necessarily begins with an accurate assessment of the factors that influence the production of staple foods, namely rice. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to analyze the factors influencing rice production in the country and to examine more closely the relationship between rice production and rice sold on the domestic market. The study used a linear logarithmic model with the amount of rice produced as a dependent variable and the price of domestic rice, imported rice, and rice import price.The results show that domestic rice is more expensive than imported rice per ton, supporting the argument that rice imports undermine domestic rice production as a viable income-generating activity. The self-sufficiency rate is 93%, with strong imports from Asia, especially from Thailand, and hardly any exports. However, in order to control price and still increase rice production, the government should be able to purchase the rice from the farmers and then sell them to private retailers to put projects in place for reduce barriers to the transmission of prices between international and domestic prices along the marketing routes: Development of the road network (feeder roads) markets and reduction of illegal controls, in particular. Keywords: Rice production; Domestic prices for rice; Food security; Incentives; MALI

Factor of Adoption of Organic Cotton in Southern Mali in the Villages of Kolodieba and Yanfolila

Organic cotton has started in 2004 in Mali in the context of a serious crisis in the conventional cotton   production system. It is all the more important for developing countries like Mali where agriculture, one of the pillars of the economy, remains heavily dependent on chemical pesticides. The aim of this study is to analyze the adoption of organic cotton production in the villages of Kolondieba and Yanfolila in southern Mali. Our survey involved 114 people including 48 organic cotton producers and 67 conventional cotton producers. Data were collected through individual interviews based on questionnaires. The analysis of the adoption of organic cotton carried out using a logistic regression model showed that the socio-economic characteristics of producers as well as the sex and education of producers are the main factors influencing their choice of production or not organic cotton. Women prefer organic production more than conventional production. This allows them not to depend on their husbands for inputs but also to have their own fields. Producers who have a very large number of people in the family, producers with schooling, as well as producers with a lot of beef are more apt to adopt organic cotton. Keywords: Adoption, Socio-economic factors, Organic cotton DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-10-03 Publication date:May 31st 202

The effect of feeding restriction with cassava flour on carcass composition of broilers

In order to promote poultry farming in resource-limited rural areas, the effects of feeding restriction with cassava flour on the carcass composition of broilers was studied. After three weeks on a restrictive diet (step 1), the broilers were re-fed during four weeks according to their physiological needs (step 2). In total, 75 four-weeks old chicks were randomly divided into three lots of 25 subjects. Lot I (control) is fed without cassava flour. The lots II and III are fed with diets containing respectively 10 and 30 % of cassava flour, with energetic and protein density of 85 and 70 % of the control. Eight broilers of each lot have been randomly selected and slaughtered at the end of each step. At the end of the restrictive step, the carcass yields and the weights of the digestive tracts are 67.1, 66.3, and 64.7 % and 178.5, 170.0, and 113.3 g respectively for the lots I, II, and III with a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) between lot I and III and then between lots II and III. After 4 weeks of re-feeding, the lots I, II, and III had respectively 69.9, 73.2, and 67.7 % of carcass yield as well as digestive tract weights of 178.3, 180.8, and 156.0 g. The carcass yield had been entirely made up (p ≥ 0.05) to the broilers previously submitted on a restrictive diet. However, the weight of the empty cold carcass was not fully compensated (p ≤ 0.05)

Visite technique des experts du Centre Regional Aghrymet/Projet ECOAGRIS au Centre Commun de Recherche de la Commission Europeenne a Ispra/Italie

D’une part, cette visite technique s’inscrit dans le cadre de la collaboration entre le Centre AGRHYMET et le Centre Commun de Recherche (CCR) de la Commission Européenne. D’autre part, cette visite permet aux chercheurs du JRC-D5 engagés dans le suivi-technique et scientifique du projet ECOAGRIS de faire le suivi. En effet, les experts du CCR/Ispra appuient les activités du Centre AGHRYMET et spécialement le développement de l’outil Cadre Harmonisé (CH) et l’analyse régionale de la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel. En outre, le CCR a signé avec la DG DEVCO un Arrangement Administratif (AA) dans le cadre du projet « Technical and scientific Support to agriculture and Food and Nutrition Security (TS4FNS »). Dans le cadre de cet instrument, le CCR est un partenaire technique dans l’implémentation du projet ECOAGRIS. C’est dans le but de faire le suivi technique et scientifique du projet ECOAGRIS et d’assurer une formation aux outils développés par le CCR que cette formation a été organisée. Une revue de l’état d’avancement du projet a été présentée. Des outils varies développés par le CCR-D5 et D6 ont été partages avec les experts du projet ECOAGRIS. Plus spécifiquement, des modules sur le produit ASAP, CST, e-Station et l’analyse des séries chronologiques ont été présentés. En plus d’une formation théorique sur l’analyse des séries chronologiques, une formation pratique sur l’analyse économétrique des séries chronologiques/time series a été organisée avec le logiciel STATA. Cette formation a été couronnée de succès étant donne que la région de l’Afrique de l’Ouest possède des données sous forme de séries chronologiques (prix, données climatologiques, nutrition, production, etc.…). Cette formation a une plus-value pour des modèles de prévision.JRC.D.5-Food Securit

Study of the effectiveness of training Malian social and health agents in female genital cutting issues and in educating their clients

This report documents findings of a study to assess the education and training of social and healthcare workers in Mali regarding female genital cutting (FGC). After two decades of campaigning against FGC in Mali, the results are not satisfactory when compared to the levels of human and financial investment. The Mali Division of Family and Community Health, with technical support from the Population Council, conducted this research to highlight certain issues related to the practice of FGC in Mali, in particular health consequences and the role health personnel can play in eradicating the practice. The continued prevalence of FGC among dominant ethnic groups and the risk of its spreading to minority ethnic groups which do not traditionally circumcise females justify the continuation and extension of the campaign. Future research avenues, such as ways to improve IEC tools and training in health facilities, and improving outreach programs particularly among youths, should be explored

Geographical and temporal distribution of human giardiasis in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND: Giardia is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in North America. Although information on geographical distribution of giardiasis is critical in identifying communities at high risk, little has been done in this area. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the geographical and temporal distribution of human giardiasis in Ontario in order to identify possible high risk areas and seasons. Two spatial scales of analyses and two disease measures were used with a view to identifying the best of each in assessing geographical patterns of giardiasis in Ontario. Global Moran's I and Moran Local Indicators of Spatial Associations were used to test for evidence of global and local spatial clustering, respectively. RESULTS: There were seasonal patterns with summer peaks and a significant (P < 0.001) decreasing temporal trend. Significant (P < 0.05) global spatial clustering of high rates was observed at the Census Sub-division spatial scale but not at the Census Division scale. The Census Sub-division scale was a better scale of analyses but required spatial empirical Bayesian smoothing of the rates. A number of areas with significant local clustering of giardiasis rates were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified spatial and temporal patterns in giardiasis distribution. This information is important in guiding decisions on disease control strategies. The study also showed that there is benefit in performing spatial analyses at more than one spatial scale to assess geographical patterns in disease distribution and that smoothing of disease rates for mapping in small areas enhances visualization of spatial patterns

Pyronaridine-artesunate or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine combined with single low-dose primaquine to prevent Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission in Ouélessébougou, Mali: a four-arm, single-blind, phase 2/3, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Pyronaridine-artesunate is the most recently licensed artemisinin-based combination therapy. WHO has recommended that a single low dose of primaquine could be added to artemisinin-based combination therapies to reduce Plasmodium falciparum transmission in areas aiming for elimination of malaria or areas facing artemisinin resistance. We aimed to determine the efficacy of pyronaridine-artesunate and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine with and without single low-dose primaquine for reducing gametocyte density and transmission to mosquitoes. METHODS: We conducted a four-arm, single-blind, phase 2/3, randomised trial at the Ouélessébougou Clinical Research Unit of the Malaria Research and Training Centre of the University of Bamako (Bamako, Mali). Participants were aged 5-50 years, with asymptomatic P falciparum malaria mono-infection and gametocyte carriage on microscopy, haemoglobin density of 9·5 g/dL or higher, bodyweight less than 80 kg, and no use of antimalarial drugs over the past week. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to one of four treatment groups: pyronaridine-artesunate, pyronaridine-artesunate plus primaquine, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus primaquine. Treatment allocation was concealed to all study staff other than the trial pharmacist and treating physician. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and pyronaridine-artesunate were administered as per manufacturer guidelines over 3 days; primaquine was administered as a single dose in oral solution according to bodyweight (0·25 mg/kg; in 1 kg bands). The primary endpoint was percentage reduction in mosquito infection rate (percentage of mosquitoes surviving to dissection that were infected with P falciparum) at 48 h after treatment compared with baseline (before treatment) in all treatment groups. Data were analysed per protocol. This trial is now complete, and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04049916. FINDINGS: Between Sept 10 and Nov 19, 2019, 1044 patients were assessed for eligibility and 100 were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups (n=25 per group). Before treatment, 66 (66%) of 100 participants were infectious to mosquitoes, with a median of 15·8% (IQR 5·4-31·9) of mosquitoes becoming infected. In individuals who were infectious before treatment, the median percentage reduction in mosquito infection rate 48 h after treatment was 100·0% (IQR 100·0 to 100·0) for individuals treated with pyronaridine-artesunate plus primaquine (n=18; p<0·0001) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus primaquine (n=15; p=0·0001), compared with -8·7% (-54·8 to 93·2) with pyronaridine-artesunate (n=17; p=0·88) and 50·4% (13·8 to 70·9) with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (n=16; p=0·13). There were no serious adverse events, and there were no significant differences between treatment groups at any point in the frequency of any adverse events (Fisher's exact test p=0·96) or adverse events related to study drugs (p=0·64). The most common adverse events were headaches (40 events in 32 [32%] of 100 participants), rhinitis (31 events in 30 [30%]), and respiratory infection (20 events in 20 [20%]). INTERPRETATION: These data support the use of single low-dose primaquine as an effective supplement to dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and pyronaridine-artesunate for blocking P falciparum transmission. The new pyronaridine-artesunate plus single low-dose primaquine combination is of immediate relevance to regions in which the containment of partial artemisinin and partner-drug resistance is a growing concern and in regions aiming to eliminate malaria. FUNDING: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. TRANSLATIONS: For the French, Spanish and Swahilil translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section

Annual population dynamics of mango fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in West Africa: Socio-economic aspects, host phenology and implications for management

Losses in West African commercial mango orchards due to fruit fly infestations have exceeded 50% by the middle of the crop season since 2005, resulting in considerable income loss for the growers. Materials and methods. In 2009, weekly monitoring of adult fruit fly species of economic significance was carried out in eight West African countries at 12 sites across five agro-ecological zones: (i) Humid Forest, (ii) Guinean savanna, (iii) Southern Sudan, (iv) Northern Sudan, and (v) Sahelian. Trapping was performed using methyl eugenol and terpinyl acetate in 288 Tephritraps, targeting Bactrocera invadens and Ceratitis cosyra. Results. The data showed that B. Invadens was present throughout the year in the Forest zone, abundant for 7 months, with a peak in May at the end of the mango season, C. cosyra being totally absent. In the Guinean savanna zone, B. invadens was abundant for 6-7 months, with a peak at the beginning of June coinciding with the season, with a few C. cosyra. In the Southern Sudan zone, B. invadens was abundant for 6 months, with a peak in mid-June during the season, C. cosyra peaking in April. In the Northern Sudan zone, B. invadens was abundant for 5 months, with a peak at the end of June at the end of the season, C. cosyra peaking in May. In the Sahelian zone, B. invadens was abundant for 4 months, peaking in August during the sea-son, C. cosyra peaking just before. These preliminary results showed that the exotic species, B. invadens, was present at high levels [mean peak of 378 flies per trap per day (FTD)] in all agro-eco-logical zones, while the native species, C. cosyra, preferred the drier zones of West Africa, with lower population levels (mean peak of 77 FTD).Conclusion. Detection trapping of male flies with parapheromones is a useful indicator of field population levels and could be used to deploy control measures (IPM package) in a timely manner when the Economic Injury Level is reached. Control strategies for these quarantine mango fruit fly species are discussed with respect to agro-ecological zones and the phenological stages of the mango tree. (Résumé d'auteur

Interactions between Global Health Initiatives and Country Health Systems: The Case of a Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program in Mali

Prevention of neglected tropical diseases was recently significantly scaled up in sub-Saharan Africa, protecting entire populations with mass distribution of drugs: five different diseases are now addressed simultaneously with a package of four drugs. Some argue however that, similarly to other major control programs dealing with specific diseases, this NTD campaign fails to strengthen health systems and might even negatively affect regular care provision. In 2007, we conducted an exploratory field study in Mali, observing how the program was implemented in two rural areas and how it affected the health system. At the local level, we found that the campaign effects of care delivery differed across health services. In robust and well staffed health centres, the personnel successfully facilitated mass drug distribution while running routine consultations, and overall service functioning benefitted from programme resources. In more fragile health centres however, additional program workload severely disturbed access to regular care, and we observed operational problems affecting the quality of mass drug distribution. Strong health services appeared to be profitable to the NTD control program as well as to general care