Agricultural biodiversity strengthening livelihoods in periurban Hyderabad, India

In periurban Hyderabad, India, leafy vegetables are increasingly grown along the Musi River and sold in urban markets. This agricultural biodiversity can significantly help urban and periurban farmers become more resilient to the impacts of such changes.

Strengthening the food systems governance evidence base: Supporting commensurability of research through a systematic review of methods

Governance of food systems is a poorly understood determinant of food security. Much scholarship on food systems governance is non-empirical, while existing research is often case study-based and theoretically and methodologically incommensurable. This frustrates aggregation of evidence and generalisation. We undertook a systematic review of methods used in food systems governance research with a view to identifying a core set of indicators for future research. We gathered literature through a structured consultation and sampling from recent reviews. Indicators were identified and classified according to the levels and sectors they investigate. We found a concentration of indicators in food production at local to national levels and a sparseness in distribution and consumption. Unsurprisingly, many indicators of institutional structure were found, while agency-related indicators are moderately represented. We call for piloting and validation of these indicators and for methodological development to fill gaps identified. These efforts are expected to support a more consolidated future evidence base and eventual meta-analysis.

STUDIES INTO THE MOLECULAR MECHANISMS REGULATING MUSCULAR ATROPHY RESULTING FROM HINDLIMB IMMOBILIZATION IN THE RAT (PROTEIN, SYNTHESIS, RNA)

The purpose of the work performed in this dissertation was to examine some of the possible regulatory mechanisms involved in the initiation of muscular atrophy during periods of decreased muscle utilization resulting from hindlimb immobilization in the rat. A 37% decrease in the rate of total muscle protein synthesis which has been observed to occur in the first 6 h of immobilization contributes significantly to the observed loss of protein during immobilization.^ The rates of cytochrome c and actin synthesis were determined in adult rat red vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscles, respectively, by the constant infusion and incorporation of ('3)H-tyrosine into protein. The fractional synthesis rates of both actin and cytochrome c were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the 6th h of hindlimb immobilization.^ RHA was extracted from adult rat gastrocnemius muscle by modification of the phenol: chloroform: SDS extraction procedures commonly used for preparation of RNA for hybridization analysis from other mammalian tissues. RNA content of rat gastrocnemius muscle, as determined by this method of extraction and its subsequent quantification by UV absorbance and orcinol assay, was significantly greater than the RNA content previously determined for adult rat gastrocnemius by other commonly employed methods.^ RNA extracted by this method from gastrocnemius muscles of control and 6h immobilized rats was subjected to "dot blot" hybridization to ('32)P-labelled probe from plasmid p749, containing a cDNA sequence complementary to (alpha)-actin mRNA and from rat skeletal muscle. (alpha)-Actin specific mRNA content as estimated by this procedure is not significantly decreased in rat gastrocnemius following 6h or hindlimb immobilization. However, (alpha)-actin specific mRNA content is significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in adult rat gastrocnemius (alpha)-actin specific mRNA is not decreased in adult rat gastrocnemius muscle following 6h of immobilization, a time when actin synthesis is significantly decreased, it is concluded that a change in (alpha)-actin specific mRNA content is not the initiating event responsible for the early decrease in actin synthesis observed in the 6th h of immobilization. ^

Use of tabletop exercises for disaster preparedness training

Background. In public health preparedness, disaster preparedness refers to the strategic planning of responses to all types of disasters. Preparation and training for disaster response can be conducted using different teaching modalities, ranging from discussion-based programs such as seminars, drills and tabletop exercises to more complex operation-based programs such as functional exercises and full-scale exercises. Each method of instruction has its advantages and disadvantages. Tabletop exercises are facilitated discussions designed to evaluate programs, policies, and procedures; they are usually conducted in a classroom, often with tabletop props (e.g. models, maps or diagrams). ^ Objective. The overall goal of this project was to determine whether tabletop exercises are effective teaching modalities for disaster preparedness, with an emphasis on intentional chemical exposure. ^ Method. The target audience for the exercise was the Medical Reserve Brigade of the Texas State Guard, a group of volunteer healthcare providers and first responders who prepare for response to local disasters. A new tabletop exercise was designed to provide information on the complex, interrelated organizations within the national disaster preparedness program that this group would interact with in the event of a local disaster. This educational intervention consisted of a four hour multipart program that included a pretest of knowledge, lecture series, an interactive group discussion using a mock disaster scenario, a posttest of knowledge, and a course evaluation. ^ Results. Approximately 40 volunteers attended the intervention session; roughly half (n=21) had previously participated in a full scale drill. There was an 11% improvement in fund of knowledge between the pre- and post-test scores (p=0.002). Overall, the tabletop exercise was well received by those with and without prior training, with no significant differences found between these two groups in terms of relevance and appropriateness of content. However, the separate components of the tabletop exercise were variably effective, as gauged by written text comments on the questionnaire. ^ Conclusions. Tabletop exercises can be a useful training modality in disaster preparedness, as evidenced by improvement in knowledge and qualitative feedback on its value. Future offerings could incorporate recordings of participant responses during the drill, so that better feedback can be provided to them. Additional research should be conducted, using the same or similar design, in different populations that are stakeholders in disaster preparedness, so that the generalizability of these findings can be determined.^

The effects of ethnicity and ethnic composition of schools on physical activity and nutrition behaviors of 8th and 11th graders in Texas

With rates of obesity and overweight continuing to increase in the US, the attention of public health researchers has focused on nutrition and physical activity behaviors. However, attempts to explain the disparate rates of obesity and overweight between whites and Hispanics have often proven inadequate. Indeed, the nebulous term ‘ethnicity’ provides little important detail in addressing potential biological, behavioral, and environmental factors that may affect rates of obesity and overweight. In response to this, the present research seeks to test the explanatory powers of ethnicity by situating the nutrition and physical activity behaviors of whites and Hispanic into their broader social contexts. It is hypothesized that a student's gender and grade level, as well as the socioeconomic status and ethnic composition of their school, will have more predictive power for these behaviors than will self-reported ethnicity. ^ Analyses revealed that while ethnicity did not seem to impact nutrition behaviors among the wealthier schools and those with fewer Hispanics, ethnicity was relevant in explaining these behaviors in the poorest tertile of schools and those with the highest number of Hispanics. With respect to physical activity behaviors, the results were mixed. The variables representing regular physical activity, participation in extracurricular physical activities, and performance of strengthening and toning exercises were more likely to be determined by SES and ethnic composition than ethnicity, especially among 8th grade males. However, school sports team and physical education participation continued to vary by ethnicity, even after controlling for SES and ethnic composition of schools. In conclusion then, it is important to understand the intersecting demographic and social variables that define and surround the individual in order to understand nutrition and physical activity behaviors and thus overweight and obesity.^

Efectos fisiológicos sobre la aptitud muscular y aeróbica de un programa de ejercicio en gimnasio

El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar los efectos que produce un programa de ejercicio de fuerza resistencia, sobre el VO2MAX., en una población que concurre a un gimnasio de la ciudad de La Plata. La intervención se inicia realizando evaluaciones que permitieran estimar el VO2 máx y el 1MR de algunos ejercicios para valorar de fuerza. Esta investigación es de carácter exploratorio y descriptivo, teniendo en cuenta cumple con las características de una muestra no probabilística, por su forma de selección y su población de estudio. Dentro de las variables estudiadas se cuenta con, una variable dependiente que es el consumo de Oxigeno máximo (VO2 máx), que es la central del estudio, y el plan de entrenamiento que la variable independiente, estas dos variables son de carácter cuantitativo. El desarrollo de esta investigación demuestra que la intervención realizada durante estos dos meses, modifico la variable central analizada, (el VO2máx.), lo cual se comprueba al comparar los resultados del proceso con la primera evaluación, dichos valores fueron mejorados en distintos porcentajes. la intervención se realiza solo en el área de fuerza, y se recomienda a la muestra que continúe con su vida como lo venía haciendo para influir lo menos posible en los resultados

Efectos de un programa de flexibilidad en el desarrollo de la fuerza muscular en jugadoras de fútbol femenil

Se analizó el impacto de un programa de entrenamiento de flexibilidad sobre el desarrollo de la fuerza muscular en 16 jugadores de futbol con edad de 19.032.7 años. Se entrenó durante 30 días y 5 veces por semanas, donde el grupo "A" realizó entrenamiento de flexibilidad, mientras que "B" el entrenamiento regular. Se midió la flexibilidad, 1RM, salto vertical, peso, talla, circunferencia de pantorrilla y muslo. Los resultados muestran valores para A y B respectivamente, donde el IGF fue de 91.01 18.3 y 111.93 23.5; 78.22 29, y 79.03 29.1. La circunferencia femoral, 48.04 3.6 cms y 49.54 3.4 cms.; 47.56 4.9 y 47.89 5.2. Circunferencia de pantorrilla, 33.83 2.7 cm y 35.21 2.4 cm; 33.83 2 y 33.73 2.8. Fuerza 48.13 7.8 Kg. y 53.38 8.2 Kg.; 52.63 8.6 Kg. y 53.39 9.1 Kg. Potencia anaeróbica, 34.13 2.9 cm. y 36.63 1.7 cm; 38.25 4.7 y 37.06 3.4. Como conclusión se tiene que el uso la flexibilidad impacta de forma positiva en el IGF y por tanto en el desarrollo favorable muscular de jugadoras de fútbol.

Efectos fisiológicos sobre la aptitud muscular y aeróbica de un programa de ejercicio en gimnasio

El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar los efectos que produce un programa de ejercicio de fuerza resistencia, sobre el VO2MAX., en una población que concurre a un gimnasio de la ciudad de La Plata. La intervención se inicia realizando evaluaciones que permitieran estimar el VO2 máx y el 1MR de algunos ejercicios para valorar de fuerza. Esta investigación es de carácter exploratorio y descriptivo, teniendo en cuenta cumple con las características de una muestra no probabilística, por su forma de selección y su población de estudio. Dentro de las variables estudiadas se cuenta con, una variable dependiente que es el consumo de Oxigeno máximo (VO2 máx), que es la central del estudio, y el plan de entrenamiento que la variable independiente, estas dos variables son de carácter cuantitativo. El desarrollo de esta investigación demuestra que la intervención realizada durante estos dos meses, modifico la variable central analizada, (el VO2máx.), lo cual se comprueba al comparar los resultados del proceso con la primera evaluación, dichos valores fueron mejorados en distintos porcentajes. la intervención se realiza solo en el área de fuerza, y se recomienda a la muestra que continúe con su vida como lo venía haciendo para influir lo menos posible en los resultados

Efectos de un programa de flexibilidad en el desarrollo de la fuerza muscular en jugadoras de fútbol femenil

Se analizó el impacto de un programa de entrenamiento de flexibilidad sobre el desarrollo de la fuerza muscular en 16 jugadores de futbol con edad de 19.032.7 años. Se entrenó durante 30 días y 5 veces por semanas, donde el grupo "A" realizó entrenamiento de flexibilidad, mientras que "B" el entrenamiento regular. Se midió la flexibilidad, 1RM, salto vertical, peso, talla, circunferencia de pantorrilla y muslo. Los resultados muestran valores para A y B respectivamente, donde el IGF fue de 91.01 18.3 y 111.93 23.5; 78.22 29, y 79.03 29.1. La circunferencia femoral, 48.04 3.6 cms y 49.54 3.4 cms.; 47.56 4.9 y 47.89 5.2. Circunferencia de pantorrilla, 33.83 2.7 cm y 35.21 2.4 cm; 33.83 2 y 33.73 2.8. Fuerza 48.13 7.8 Kg. y 53.38 8.2 Kg.; 52.63 8.6 Kg. y 53.39 9.1 Kg. Potencia anaeróbica, 34.13 2.9 cm. y 36.63 1.7 cm; 38.25 4.7 y 37.06 3.4. Como conclusión se tiene que el uso la flexibilidad impacta de forma positiva en el IGF y por tanto en el desarrollo favorable muscular de jugadoras de fútbol.

Efectos de un programa de flexibilidad en el desarrollo de la fuerza muscular en jugadoras de fútbol femenil

Se analizó el impacto de un programa de entrenamiento de flexibilidad sobre el desarrollo de la fuerza muscular en 16 jugadores de futbol con edad de 19.032.7 años. Se entrenó durante 30 días y 5 veces por semanas, donde el grupo "A" realizó entrenamiento de flexibilidad, mientras que "B" el entrenamiento regular. Se midió la flexibilidad, 1RM, salto vertical, peso, talla, circunferencia de pantorrilla y muslo. Los resultados muestran valores para A y B respectivamente, donde el IGF fue de 91.01 18.3 y 111.93 23.5; 78.22 29, y 79.03 29.1. La circunferencia femoral, 48.04 3.6 cms y 49.54 3.4 cms.; 47.56 4.9 y 47.89 5.2. Circunferencia de pantorrilla, 33.83 2.7 cm y 35.21 2.4 cm; 33.83 2 y 33.73 2.8. Fuerza 48.13 7.8 Kg. y 53.38 8.2 Kg.; 52.63 8.6 Kg. y 53.39 9.1 Kg. Potencia anaeróbica, 34.13 2.9 cm. y 36.63 1.7 cm; 38.25 4.7 y 37.06 3.4. Como conclusión se tiene que el uso la flexibilidad impacta de forma positiva en el IGF y por tanto en el desarrollo favorable muscular de jugadoras de fútbol.

Enhancing skills in solving open-ended problems using game-based exercises

Some requirements for engineering programmes, such as an ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice, as well as an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility or an ability to communicate effectively, need new activities designed for measuring students’ progress. Negotiations take place continuously at any stage of a project and, so, the ability of engineers and managers to effectively carry out a negotiation is crucial for the success or failure of projects and businesses. Since it involves communication between individuals motivated to come together in an agreement for mutual benefit, it can be used to enhance these personal abilities. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of mixing playing sessions and theory to maximise the students’ strategic vision in combination with negotiating skills. Results show that the combination of playing with theoretical training teaches students to strategise through analysis and discussion of alternatives. The outcome is then more optimised.

Gene Expression Profiling in Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2A

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A) is a recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in calpain 3 (CAPN3). Calpain 3 plays different roles in muscular cells, but little is known about its functions or in vivo substrates. The aim of this study was to identify the genes showing an altered expression in LGMD2A patients and the possible pathways they are implicated in. Ten muscle samples from LGMD2A patients with in which molecular diagnosis was ascertained were investigated using array technology to analyze gene expression profiling as compared to ten normal muscle samples. Upregulated genes were mostly those related to extracellular matrix (different collagens), cell adhesion (fibronectin), muscle development (myosins and melusin) and signal transduction. It is therefore suggested that different proteins located or participating in the costameric region are implicated in processes regulated by calpain 3 during skeletal muscle development. Genes participating in the ubiquitin proteasome degradation pathway were found to be deregulated in LGMD2A patients, suggesting that regulation of this pathway may be under the control of calpain 3 activity. As frizzled-related protein (FRZB) is upregulated in LGMD2A muscle samples, it could be hypothesized that β-catenin regulation is also altered at the Wnt signaling pathway, leading to an incorrect myogenesis. Conversely, expression of most transcription factor genes was downregulated (MYC, FOS and EGR1). Finally, the upregulation of IL-32 and immunoglobulin genes may induce the eosinophil chemoattraction explaining the inflammatory findings observed in presymptomatic stages. The obtained results try to shed some light on identification of novel therapeutic targets for limb-girdle muscular dystrophies

A proposal for improving safety in construction projects by strengthening coordinators’ competencies in health and safety issues

The figure of the coordinator in health and safety issues in the construction sector first appeared in our legislation through the incorporation of the European Directives (in our case Royal Decree 1627/97 on the minimum health and safety regulations in construction works), and is viewed differently in different countries of the European Union regarding the way they are hired and their role in the construction industry. Coordinating health and safety issues is also a management process that requires certain competencies that are not only based on technical or professional training, but which, taking account of the work environment, require the use of strategies and tools that are related to experience and personal skills. Through a piece of research that took account of expert opinions in the matter, we have found which competencies need to be possessed by the health and safety coordinator in order to improve the safety in the works they are coordinating. The conclusions of the analyses performed using the appropriate statistical methods (comparing means and multivariate analysis techniques), will enable training programmes to be designed and ensure that the health and safety coordinators selected have the competencies required to carry out their duties.