Farmers’ Grain Storage and Losses in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fantu Bachewe ◽  
Bart Minten ◽  
Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse ◽  
Karl Pauw ◽  
Alethia Cameron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Household Surveys ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Large Share ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
Storage Losses ◽  
Storage Technologies ◽  
Agricultural Areas

Abstract While storage losses at the farm are often assumed to be an important contributor to presumed large postharvest losses in developing countries, reliable and representative data on these losses are often lacking. We study farmers’ storage decisions and self-reported storage losses for grains based on two large-scale household surveys conducted in major agricultural areas in Ethiopia. We show that a relatively large share of grain production is stored by farm households for own consumption and that storage technologies are rudimentary. Farmers’ self-reported storage losses amount to an average of 4 % of all grains stored and 2 % of total harvest. These storage losses differ significantly by socioeconomic variables and wealth, as well as by crop and humidity. We further see strong spatial heterogeneity in storage losses being significantly higher in southwest Ethiopia. Efforts to scale up the adoption of improved storage technologies to reduce storage losses at the farm level should consider these characteristics.

Trust is Good, Control is Better: A Review on Monitoring and Characterization Techniques for Flow Battery Electrolytes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Sigmar Schubert ◽  
Oliver Nolte ◽  
Ivan Volodin ◽  
Christian Stolze ◽  
Martin D. Hager
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Good Control ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Flow Battery ◽  
Large Share ◽  
Characterization Techniques ◽  
Renewable Electricity Generation ◽  
Storage Technologies

Flow Batteries (FBs) currently are one of the most promising large-scale energy storage technologies for energy grids with a large share of renewable electricity generation. Among the main technological challenges...

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: A Promising Drug Delivery Technology

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 509-516
Author(s):  
S. Pragati ◽  
S. Kuldeep ◽  
S. Ashok ◽  
M. Satheesh
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Colloidal Particles ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Solid Lipid

One of the situations in the treatment of disease is the delivery of efficacious medication of appropriate concentration to the site of action in a controlled and continual manner. Nanoparticle represents an important particulate carrier system, developed accordingly. Nanoparticles are solid colloidal particles ranging in size from 1 to 1000 nm and composed of macromolecular material. Nanoparticles could be polymeric or lipidic (SLNs). Industry estimates suggest that approximately 40% of lipophilic drug candidates fail due to solubility and formulation stability issues, prompting significant research activity in advanced lipophile delivery technologies. Solid lipid nanoparticle technology represents a promising new approach to lipophile drug delivery. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are important advancement in this area. The bioacceptable and biodegradable nature of SLNs makes them less toxic as compared to polymeric nanoparticles. Supplemented with small size which prolongs the circulation time in blood, feasible scale up for large scale production and absence of burst effect makes them interesting candidates for study. In this present review this new approach is discussed in terms of their preparation, advantages, characterization and special features.

Recombinant Protein Production in Microalgae: Emerging Trends

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niaz Ahmad ◽  
Muhammad Aamer Mehmood ◽  
Sana Malik
Keyword(s):  
Chloroplast Genome ◽  
Recombinant Proteins ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Chloroplast Transformation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Nuclear Transformation ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Algal Chloroplast

: In recent years, microalgae have emerged as an alternative platform for large-scale production of recombinant proteins for different commercial applications. As a production platform, it has several advantages, including rapid growth, easily scale up and ability to grow with or without the external carbon source. Genetic transformation of several species has been established. Of these, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has become significantly attractive for its potential to express foreign proteins inexpensively. All its three genomes – nuclear, mitochondrial and chloroplastic – have been sequenced. As a result, a wealth of information about its genetic machinery, protein expression mechanism (transcription, translation and post-translational modifications) is available. Over the years, various molecular tools have been developed for the manipulation of all these genomes. Various studies show that the transformation of the chloroplast genome has several advantages over nuclear transformation from the biopharming point of view. According to a recent survey, over 100 recombinant proteins have been expressed in algal chloroplasts. However, the expression levels achieved in the algal chloroplast genome are generally lower compared to the chloroplasts of higher plants. Work is therefore needed to make the algal chloroplast transformation commercially competitive. In this review, we discuss some examples from the algal research, which could play their role in making algal chloroplast commercially successful.

A large-scale shift of cropland structure profoundly affects grain production in the cold region of China

2021 ◽  
pp. 127300
Author(s):  
Tao Pan ◽  
Chi Zhang ◽  
Wenhui Kuang ◽  
Geping Luo ◽  
Guoming Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Cold Region ◽  
Scale Shift

Expanding the boundaries of learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (8) ◽  
pp. 8-13
Author(s):  
Thomas Hatch
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Practices ◽  
New Hampshire ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Educational Experiences ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Project Based Learning

Taking advantage of the possibilities for learning outside of school requires us to build on what we know about why it is so hard to sustain and scale up unconventional educational experiences within conventional schools. To illustrate the opportunities and challenges, Thomas Hatch describes a large-scale approach to project-based learning developed in a camp in New Hampshire and incorporated in a Brooklyn school, a trip-based program in Detroit, and Singapore’s systemic embrace of learning outside school. By understanding the conditions that can sustain alternative instructional practices, educators can find places to challenge the boundaries of schooling and create visions of the possible that exceed current constraints.

scholarly journals Scaling Up Delivery of Biofortified Staple Food Crops Globally: Paths to Nourishing Millions

2021 ◽  
pp. 037957212098250
Author(s):  
Jennifer K. Foley ◽  
Kristina D. Michaux ◽  
Bho Mudyahoto ◽  
Laira Kyazike ◽  
Binu Cherian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies affect over one quarter of the world’s population. Biofortification is an evidence-based nutrition strategy that addresses some of the most common and preventable global micronutrient gaps and can help improve the health of millions of people. Since 2013, HarvestPlus and a consortium of collaborators have made impressive progress in the enrichment of staple crops with essential micronutrients through conventional plant breeding. Objective: To review and highlight lessons learned from multiple large-scale delivery strategies used by HarvestPlus to scale up biofortification across different country and crop contexts. Results: India has strong public and private sector pearl millet breeding programs and a robust commercial seed sector. To scale-up pearl millet, HarvestPlus established partnerships with public and private seed companies, which facilitated the rapid commercialization of products and engagement of farmers in delivery activities. In Nigeria, HarvestPlus stimulated the initial acceptance and popularization of vitamin A cassava using a host of creative approaches, including “crowding in” delivery partners, innovative promotional programs, and development of intermediate raw material for industry and novel food products. In Uganda, orange sweet potato (OSP) is a traditional subsistence crop. Due to this, and the lack of formal seed systems and markets, HarvestPlus established a network of partnerships with community-based nongovernmental organizations and vine multipliers to popularize and scale-up delivery of OSP. Conclusions: Impact of biofortification ultimately depends on the development of sustainable markets for biofortified seeds and products. Results illustrate the need for context-specific, innovative solutions to promote widespread adoption.

scholarly journals Direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 using non-commercial RT-LAMP reagents on heat-inactivated samples

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisa Alekseenko ◽  
Donal Barrett ◽  
Yerma Pareja-Sanchez ◽  
Rebecca J. Howard ◽  
Emilia Strandback ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Dna Polymerases ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Lamp Assay ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Reaction Conditions ◽  
Clinical Patient ◽  
Reverse Transcriptases ◽  
Large Scale Testing

AbstractRT-LAMP detection of SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to be a valuable approach to scale up COVID-19 diagnostics and thus contribute to limiting the spread of the disease. Here we present the optimization of highly cost-effective in-house produced enzymes, and we benchmark their performance against commercial alternatives. We explore the compatibility between multiple DNA polymerases with high strand-displacement activity and thermostable reverse transcriptases required for RT-LAMP. We optimize reaction conditions and demonstrate their applicability using both synthetic RNA and clinical patient samples. Finally, we validate the optimized RT-LAMP assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in unextracted heat-inactivated nasopharyngeal samples from 184 patients. We anticipate that optimized and affordable reagents for RT-LAMP will facilitate the expansion of SARS-CoV-2 testing globally, especially in sites and settings where the need for large scale testing cannot be met by commercial alternatives.

scholarly journals Relationships and the Determinants of Sustainable Land Management Technologies in North Gojjam Sub-Basin, Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6365
Author(s):  
Alelgn Ewunetu ◽  
Belay Simane ◽  
Ermias Teferi ◽  
Benjamin F. F. Zaitchik
Keyword(s):  
Land Management ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Sustainable Land Management ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Blue Nile ◽  
The North

Sustainable land management (SLM) is a leading policy issue in Ethiopia. However, the adoption and continuous use of SLM technologies remain low. This study investigates the interrelationship of adopted SLM technologies and key factors of farmers’ decisions to use SLM technologies in the North Gojjam sub-basin of the Upper Blue Nile. The study was based on the investigation of cross-sectional data obtained from 414 randomly selected rural household heads, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics and Econometric models (i.e., Multivariate Probit and Poisson regression) were used to analyze quantitative data, while a content analysis method was used for qualitative data analysis. Results indicate that at least one type of SLM technology was implemented by 94% of farm households in the North Gojjam sub-basin. The most widely used technologies were chemical fertilizer, soil bund, and animal manure. Most of the adopted SLM technologies complement each other. Farm size, family size, male-headed household, local institutions, perception of soil erosion, livestock size, total income, and extension service increased the adoption probability of most SLM technologies. Plot fragmentation, household age, plot distance, off-farm income, market distance, and perception of good fertile soil discourage the adoption probability of most SLM technologies. To scale up SLM technologies against land degradation, it is important to consider households’ demographic characteristics, the capacity of farm households, and plot-level related factors relevant to the specific SLM technologies being promoted.

scholarly journals Mechanical Properties of Protective Coatings against Marine Fouling: A Review

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Alessandro Pistone ◽  
Cristina Scolaro ◽  
Annamaria Visco
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Protective Coatings ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Product Distribution ◽  
Properties Of Coatings ◽  
Fouling Organism ◽  
Ship Hulls ◽  
Marine Industry ◽  
Application Fields

The accumulation of marine organisms on ship hulls, such as microorganisms, barnacles, and seaweeds, represents a global problem for maritime industries, with both economic and environmental costs. The use of biocide-containing paints poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems, affecting both target and non-target organisms driving science and technology towards non-biocidal solutions based on physico-chemical and materials properties of coatings. The review reports recent development of hydrophobic protective coatings in terms of mechanical properties, correlated with the wet ability features. The attention is focused mainly on coatings based on siloxane and epoxy resin due to the wide application fields of such systems in the marine industry. Polyurethane and other systems have been considered as well. These coatings for anti-fouling applications needs to be both long-term mechanically stable, perfectly adherent with the metallic/composite substrate, and capable to detach/destroy the fouling organism. Prospects should focus on developing even “greener” antifouling coatings solutions. These coatings should also be readily addressable to industrial scale-up for large-scale product distribution, possibly at a reasonable cost.

scholarly journals Large-scale water balance indicators for different pruning dates of tropical wine grape

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 849-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antônio Heriberto de Castro Teixeira ◽  
Jorge Tonietto ◽  
Janice Freitas Leivas
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Crop Coefficient ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Wine Grape ◽  
Wine Quality ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
More Care ◽  
Brazilian Northeast

Abstract: The objective of this work was to develop and apply water balance indicators to be scaled up in the wine grape (Vitis vinifera) growing regions of the municipalities of Petrolina and Juazeiro, in the states of Pernambuco and Bahia, respectively, Brazil, simulating different pruning dates along the year. Previous energy balance measurements were used to relate the crop coefficient (Kc) with the accumulated degree-days (DDac). This model was applied to scale up the water balance indicators during the growing seasons. When irrigation water was available, the best pruning periods were from May to July, due to the better natural thermal and hidrological conditions. More care should be taken for pruning done in other periods of the year, regarding the effect of increasing thermal conditions of wine quality. The water balance indicators, both successfully developed and applied, allow large-scale analyses of the thermohydrological conditions for wine grape production under the semiarid conditions of the Brazilian Northeast.

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