scholarly journals Contribution of scaling up nutrition Academic Platforms to nutrition capacity strengthening in Africa: local efforts, continental prospects and challenges

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 524-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amos K. Laar ◽  
Richmond N. O. Aryeetey ◽  
Reginald Annan ◽  
Paul A. Aryee ◽  
Francis K. Amagloh ◽  
...  

Addressing contemporary nutrition problems often requires application of knowledge from multiple disciplines. The scaling up nutrition (SUN) movement harnesses multiple sectors for effective global and in-country planning and implementation. Although the role of knowledge networks (academia and research institutions) is recognised, the how of engaging knowledge networks in the current SUN architecture is only now becoming apparent. For relevant sectors to play their roles effectively, observed capacity gaps, particularly in developing country settings, need to be addressed. The present paper presents the work being undertaken by the Ghana SUN Academic Platform (AP), a local knowledge network, towards strengthening nutrition capacity in Ghana. The AP presently provides technical support, evidence and capacity towards scaling up effective nutrition interventions in Ghana and beyond. The data presented draws heavily on the observations and collective experiences of the authors in practice, complemented by a review of relevant literature. The ultimate goal of the AP is to build capacity of professionals from nutrition and cognate sectors (including planning, agriculture, health, economics, research and academia). This is an essential ingredient for effective and durable SUN efforts. The paper recognises that both disciplinary and interdisciplinary capacity is required for effective SUN efforts in Africa, and offers an approach that utilises cross-sector/inter-professional, peer-learning and experiential learning initiatives.

2021 ◽  
pp. 227797522110155
Author(s):  
Navin Kumar Saxena ◽  
Satyasiba Das

The incumbent State-owned Enterprises (SOE) are dominant players in the home markets. New entrants’ arrival challenges the SOEs’ market dominance while the technology discontinuity challenges the technical leadership by obsoleting the existing technology. This study focuses on the effect of these competitive pressures on the internationalization intent of the Indian SOEs. The incumbent firms develop a knowledge network in technical and market aspects by working with the partners, the suppliers and the buyers. The study also focuses on the moderating effect of the knowledge networks. This study uses structured equation modelling using the partial least squares technique as the analytical technique. The results confirm the positive effect of technological discontinuity on the internationalization intent. In contrast, new entrants had no such effect. The study also confirms the positive moderating influence of the knowledge network on the effect of technological discontinuity on the internationalization intent.


Author(s):  
Maria Tsouri

AbstractThe proximity literature usually treats proximity in terms of common attributes shared by agents, disregarding the relative position of an actor inside the network. This paper discusses the importance of such dimension of proximity, labelled as in-network proximity, and proposes an empirical measurement for it, assessing its impact (jointly with other dimensions of proximity) on the creation of strong knowledge network ties in ICT in the region of Trentino. The findings show that actors with higher in-network proximity are more attractive for both other central actors and peripheral ones, which is further strengthening their position within the network. In detail, the centrally positioned actors repeat collaboration with other central actors in the network, as central actors gather more ‘reputation’, signalling that they will possess the needed knowledge resources. Relatively peripheral actors, either new or not so active inside the network, seek for collaboration with relatively central actors in order to tap on knowledge resources they do not acquire.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 115-134
Author(s):  
Rashaa Malik Musa Al-Khafaji

The city was formed historically as a node for human activities. Its formation depends on the resources and relations in areas of production and distribution; therefore, it was divided into special zones with different economic activities that depend on them (industrial, recreational, commercial, residential areas and other uses of land). The physical and functional features of the city reflected imposed social and digital systems. The Technological advances have expanded the role of knowledge in everyday life that established the concept of knowledge networks. This study deals with the concept of knowledge networks as  an updated multidimensional strategy which imposes its ways to deal with the historic urban system as a part of the larger one, where the developed technology imposes its needs of the organizational vision of the city as  part of the global system. This study hypothesis that the knowledge networks is a concept not separated from the historic space networks in cities. The study also hypothesis that these historic networks, which were formed from nodes and links impose the strategic vision to adopt and promote the knowledge networks into urban level. This study aims to clarify the concept of knowledge networks as an updated strategy for the urban growth, shows the role of nodes, and links which had grown historically in cities to adopt and promote strategies for the knowledge networks. This research adopted a method to achieve its aims, through studying the cognitive network mechanism and the role of urban characteristics as guidelines to strengthen these networks in a number of global examples, and then use the global experience to build a vision for network strategy in the Iraqi city to produce a new urban pattern. The main conclusion is that the historic urban ties act as a mutual force along with the global mechanism of knowledge network so that each city would show its special response to the network pattern.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Salmon ◽  
Salma Zaman ◽  
Emine Beyza Satoglu ◽  
Fernando Sanchez-Henriquez ◽  
Andres Velez-Calle

PurposeThis paper examines the role of co-inventor collaboration with China and/or the USA on a country's increase in centrality in global knowledge networks. It also explores the role of specific institutional factors – corruption and intellectual property rights (IPR) protection – on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachIn the study, co-inventor data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) applications have been used to construct networks of technological knowledge collaboration at the country level over the years 2002–2015. Using eigenvector centrality as the dependent variable, the study uses fixed effect regression analyses on a panel of 171 countries, contributing to recent debates on knowledge networks and international cooperation.FindingsBuilding on research in economic development, innovation and social network theory, this research finds that co-patenting with Chinese inventors is positively related to a country's centrality in global knowledge networks and that this relationship is negatively moderated by collaboration with the current most central knowledge network – namely that of the USA – suggesting a substitution effect. It also finds a partial substitution between institutional factors, IPRs protection and transparency, and collaboration with China on a country's knowledge centrality.Practical implicationsRegarding policymakers, the findings can be used to encourage international collaboration for increased access to new sources of knowledge that fosters innovation while keeping a close eye on local institutions, especially emerging economies that want to increase their international knowledge network centrality.Originality/valueThis study creates a unique panel data set and extends the social networks approach in international business literature, focusing on institutional characteristics related to participation in knowledge networks.


2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (22) ◽  
pp. 876-879
Author(s):  
András Schubert

The role of networks is swiftly increasing in the production and communication of scientific knowledge. Network aspects have, therefore, an ever growing importance in the analysis of the scientific enterprise, as well. The present paper demonstrates some techniques of studying the network of scientific journals on the subject of seeking the position of Orvosi Hetilap (Hungarian Medical Journal) in the international journal network. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(22), 876–879.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qudsia Uzma ◽  
Nausheen Hamid ◽  
Rizwana Chaudhri ◽  
Nadeem Mehmood ◽  
Atiya Aabroo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pakistan is among a number of countries facing protracted challenges in addressing maternal mortality with a concomitant weak healthcare system complexed with inequities. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) self-care interventions offer the best solution for improving access to quality healthcare services with efficiency and economy. This manuscript documents country experience in introducing and scaling up two selected SRHR self-care interventions. A prospective qualitative study design was used and a semi-structured questionnaire was shared with identified SRHR private sector partners selected through convenience and purposive sampling. The two interventions include the use of misoprostol for postpartum hemorrhage and the use of subcutaneous depomedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) as injectable contraceptive method. Data collection was done through emails and telephone follow-up calls. Results Nine of the 13 partners consulted for the study responded. The two selected self-care interventions are mainly supported by private sector partners (national and international nongovernmental organizations) having national or subnational existence. Their mandates include all relevant areas, such as policy advocacy, field implementation, trainings, supervision and monitoring. A majority of partners reported experience related to the use of misoprostol; it was introduced more than a decade ago, is registered and is procured by both public and private sectors. Subcutaneous DMPA is a new intervention, having been introduced only recently, and commodity availability remains a challenge. It is being delivered through health workers/providers and is not promoted as a self-administered contraceptive. Community engagement and awareness raising is reported as an essential element of successful field implementation; however, no beneficiary data was collected for the study. Training approaches differ considerably, are standalone or integrated with SRHR topics and their duration varies between 1 and 5 days, covering a range of cadres. Conclusion Pubic sector ownership and patronage is essential for introducing and scaling up self-care interventions as a measure to support the healthcare system in delivering quality sexual and reproductive health services. Supervision, monitoring and reporting are areas requiring further support, as well as the leadership and governance role of the public sector. Standardization of trainings, community awareness, supervision, monitoring and reporting are required together with integration of self-care in routine capacity building activities (pre- and in-service) on sexual and reproductive health in the country.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1124
Author(s):  
Freddy Marín-González ◽  
Alexa Senior-Naveda ◽  
Mercy Narváez Castro ◽  
Alicia Inciarte González ◽  
Ana Judith Paredes Chacín

This article aims to build a network for the exchange of knowledge between the government and production, community and university sectors for sustainable local development. To achieve this, the authors relied on the concepts of sustainable local development, social capital, the relationship between sectors or intersectorality, networks and interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge. Regarding the methodology, the abductive method was used. Under a documentary design, the research techniques were a content analysis of theoretical documents and the deductive inference technique. The construction of a knowledge exchange network for sustainable local development stands out as the result. It is concluded that knowledge networks for sustainable local development have positive implications in the establishment of alliances and links between the sectors that make up society.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 382-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Marmo Moreira ◽  
Fernando de Paula Leonel ◽  
Ricardo Augusto Mendonça Vieira ◽  
José Carlos Pereira

The decisive role of metallic cations in the formation of supramolecular clusters involving lignin, cellulose, and hemi-cellulose and its relationship to energy losses in ruminants associated with fibrous feed resources is still not well understood. Indeed, interactions between lignin, cellulose and metallic cations generate highly stable clusters that significantly decrease the capability of cellulase to break bonds between sugar units in order to facilitate the absorption of a great quantity of cellulose, which is ingested by ruminants as forage. Furthermore, several metallic cations cannot be absorbed as a consequence of the formation of coordinated ligations with the oxygen atoms of the lignocellulosic cluster. The loss of lignocellulose-metal clusters by ruminants is responsible for a substantial waste of nutrients, which is a significant problem in animal science. Moreover, the chemical structure of these relevant supramolecular systems is poorly understood. In the present review, we discussed this topic in detail in reference to relevant literature from the chemical and animal sciences in order to analyze the perspectives associated with the improvement of nutritional absorption from feed resources by ruminants.


Epidemics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.B. Hallett ◽  
S. Dube ◽  
Í. Cremin ◽  
B. Lopman ◽  
A. Mahomva ◽  
...  

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