Master of Science / Department of Agricultural Economics / Vincent R. Amanor-Boadu / Women represent approximately 50 percent of the active labor force in Sub-Saharan Africa. Even though women are involved in a variety of agricultural activities, they have limited access to resources and have restricted decision-making power compared to their male counterparts (FAO, 2011). These limitations and restrictions are likely to have a significant effect on women’s performance levels compared to men. The present research measures the gender-based performance differences, identifies factors that influence the financial performance levels, and factors contributing to generate disparities between male and female smallholders performance in northern Ghana. Data used in this study are from the Agriculture Production Survey (APS) focusing on the 2013-2014 cropping season. The study uses the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method to measure and decompose the gender performance gap in two parts: endowment effect and structural effect. Gross margin is used to measure farmer’s financial performance. The endowment effect is attributed to differences in the explanatory variables, and the structural effect is associated with differences in returns of the explanatory variables. Results from the study indicate there is a gender gap between male and female smallholder farmers with male farmers outperforming females by 46 percent. Land area had the largest significant impact on the explained part of the gender gap, followed by tractor service. The endowment effect portion of the decomposition models is accounted for 35 percent of the gender gap, and the remaining 65 percent is associated with the structural effect. The larger structural effect part suggests that developing programs to establish equality among male and female smallholder producers in terms of access to resources will not close the gender gap. Additionally, factors contributing positively overall to gross margin of smallholder farmers were land area, and tractor services and crops produced. Based on the results of this research, policymakers and agribusiness stakeholders may look to reduce the gender gap existing between smallholder farmers in northern Ghana by empowering women by providing them access to land area and tractor services. Further research into factors affecting the gender gap in financial performance in agricultural activities is warranted.

D. Tech. (Food Service Management, Dept. of Hospitality, Tourism and PR management), Vaal University of Technology / The main objective of this study was to develop a cost-effective, culturally acceptable, nutrient-dense food multimix (FMM) based on local food staples for pregnant women in the Vaal region. The impact of the consumption of the multimix on the nutritional status of the women, dietary diversity and outcomes of pregnancy was assessed in an intervention study by measuring the same variables as for a pilot study where the nutritional status of pregnant women was determined. Compliance was measured through monitoring of the FMM consumption and sensory evaluation tests. Quantitative food frequency questionnaires (QFFQs) and 24-hour recall questionnaires were completed in interviews. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were recorded. The pilot study indicated that the mean total iron intake was 9,74 mg/day, below the estimated average requirement (EAR) of 22 mg/day for pregnant women. Therefore, 41,7 per cent of the women were found to be iron deficient and 50 per cent suffered from iron deficiency anaemia. Food consumed supplied little iron. Eighty per cent of the women were overweight before falling pregnant. Based on the pilot study, the FMM was developed and subjected to the following processes: chemical analysis, shelf life tests, recipe development and sensory evaluation. The product was then implemented in an intervention programme. A control group of pregnant women received soup powder. The respondents were relatively healthy and did not suffer from any chronic diseases. According to the nutrient intakes measured by the QFFQ, indicating usual dietary intakes, the iron intake of 87,5 per cent of the experimental group and 94 per cent of the control group fell below the EAR before intervention. After the intervention it improved in that the iron intake of 35,2 per cent of the experimental group and 33,3 per cent of the control group fell below the EAR. The top 10 items consumed by the experimental group during pre- and post-intervention were mainly rich in carbohydrates. Food containing iron absorption inhibitors such as tannin in tea and phytates in maize meal and bread were among the top 10 foods listed. The highest number of individual food items consumed by an individual in seven days was 39 before the intervention and 52 after the intervention, among the experimental group. The individual food variety improved after the intervention. The reason for this could be the inclusion of the FMM in their diets. The majority of the respondents consumed eight to nine of the nutritious food groups before and after the intervention. The mean food variety score (FVS) for the control group was 38,9 (±10,5) before the intervention, which decreased to 35,8 (±8,39) after the intervention. No improvement in FVS was observed after the intervention in the control group and the FVS indicated medium dietary diversity (30-60 food items). The post-intervention results show that there was an improvement in most of the iron variables. The experimental group showed statistically significant differences between pre- and post-intervention measurements in transferrin and haematocrit levels and the control group in haematocrit levels. All the babies born to the mothers of both the experimental and control groups were healthy with measurements in the normal range. The reason for this could be that the inclusion of the FMM and soup powder in the diets of the experimental and control group, respectively, made the women more aware of the importance of pregnancy monitoring. Furthermore, the attention given to the women by the clinic sisters and the researchers could have contributed to all the improvements mentioned.

O feijoeiro comum (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) e caupi [Vigna ungüiculata (L.) Walp] são alimentos básicos em muitos países, principalmente no Brasil, sendo uma importante fonte de proteínas, vitaminas e minerais, incluindo ferro e zinco. O cádmio (Cd) é considerado o metal pesado mais preocupante à saúde humana. Não há estudos sobre a variabilidade genotípica quanto a concentração de Cd em diferentes feijoeiros especialmente quando submetidos próximos a concentração limítrofe para intervenção pela CETESB (3 mg kg-1). O objetivo foi determinar e comparar a concentração de Cd em grãos de diversos cultivares de feijoeiros comuns Phaseolus vulgaris L. e vigna Vigna ungüiculata L. (Walp.) em vasos de 2,5 dm-3 de terra oriunda de um latossolo típico, bem como estudar os efeitos e o acúmulo do elemento em plantas com comportamentos distintos. Os experimentos foram delineados inteiramente ao acaso. No primeiro experimento, sementes de cada espécie (15 variedades de feijoeiro comum e 5 variedades de feijoeiro vigna) foram plantadas em potes sob dois tratamentos: contaminado (3 mg dm-3 Cd) e testemunha, em três repetições. O índice SPAD foi medido nas plantas ao final do estádio vegetativo e a avaliação da produção de matéria seca da parte aérea no final do ciclo. As concentrações de Cd em grãos foram determinadas por ICP-MS. Após a seleção dos cultivares com maior e menor acumulação de Cd no grão, este foram replantados em um experimento com 3 tratamentos: 3 mg dm-3 Cd + 109Cd (solo); 109Cd (solo); 3mg dm-3 Cd (solo) + 109Cd (folha) e cinco repetições. Foram avaliadas a medição da taxa de assimilação de CO2 in vivo e amostras do limbo foliar foram coletadas para visualização através da técnica de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. A parte aérea de feijoeiros radiomarcados foram expostas a filmes radiográficos e a contagem referente à atividade do 109Cd foi determinada por espectrometria de cintilação líquida. Resultados: O índice SPAD foi diminuído na maioria dos feijoeiros testados, principalmente nas folhas jovens. A menor e maior concentração de Cd foi observada nos cultivares BR3 Tracuateua (0,6 mg kg-1) and BRS Timbó (2,3 mg kg-1) respectivamente. Em ambos a assimilação de CO2 foi alterada pela toxicidade de Cd, mas com a presença de deformidades do limbo, clorose e abscisão da folha no BRS Timbó. Os cloroplastos do feijoeiro comum contaminado mostraram abundância de corpos osmiofílicos quando comparado ao vigna. A auto-radiografia confirmou menor transporte de Cd da raiz para a parte aérea pelo feijoeiro vigna e as concentrações deste metal na parte aérea são maiores no caule e nervuras foliares. Comparado ao BR3 Tracuateua, o feijoeiro comum BRS Timbó absorve e transloca maior quantidade de Cd aplicado na folha para o grão, mas contribui muito pouco na concentração total de Cd no feijão / The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and cowpea [Vigna ungüiculata (L.) Walp] are a staple foods in many countries, particularly in Brazil, and it is an important source of protein, vitamins, and minerals including iron and zinc. Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal considered one of the most hazardous elements for humans. No data are available on the cadmium (Cd) concentration in grain of these species, especially under conditions of CETESB critical limits in soil (3 mg kg-1). The objective were to determine and compare concentrations of Cd in grain of common beans Phaseolus vulgaris L. and cowpea Vigna ungüiculata L. (Walp.) cultivated in 3 L pots with a typical oxysol, as well as to study the effects and accumulation of Cd in plants with distinct comportment. The trials were arranged as randomized design. In the first experiment, seeds of each species (15 common beans and 5 cowpea cultivars) were sowed in pots (3 mg kg-1 Cd and control), replicated three times. The SPAD índex was measured in plants at the end of vegetative stage and the dry matter yield were evaluated. Cd concentration in grain was determined by ICP-MS. After the selection of major and minor Cd accumulators, these cultivars were sowed in a new trial with 3 treatments 3 mg dm-3 Cd + 109Cd (soil); 109Cd (soil); 3 mg dm-3 Cd (soil) + 109Cd (leaves) with five replications. The CO2 assimilation was measured in vivo. Samples of leaves were collected and the ultrastructure was observed in transmission electronic microscope. The aerial parts of beans plants were exposed to radiographic films and the activity of 109Cd in was determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Results: SPAD index were affected in most of plants tested, especially in Young leaves. The minor and major concentration of Cd were observed in BRS Timbó (2,3 mg kg-1) and BR3 Tracuateua (0,6 mg kg-1), respectively. In both cultivars, the CO2 assimilation was affected by Cd phytotoxicity, but there were leaves deformities, chlorosis and leaf abscision in BRS Timbó. Common beans chloroplasts showed more osmiophylics globules compared to cowpea. Autoradiography confirmed low translocation root-to-shoot in caupi BR3 Tracuateua and the concentration of Cd was higher in BR3 Timbó, especially in stem and veins of leaves. In comparison to cowpea BR3 Tracuateua, the common bean BRS Timbó absorb and translocate more Cd applied in leaves to grain, but it is inexpressive in total content of Cd in beans

Peptides are emerging as promising therapeutics due to their inhibitory affinity towards protein-protein interactions (PPI). However, peptides have been limited mainly by their poor bio-stability and lack of cell permeability. Efforts to generate drug-like peptides have led to the development of macrocyclic peptides, which exhibit improved stability. Yet, most macrocyclic peptides still require the assistance of a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) for cellular entry. High throughput technologies have been exceptional tools for the discovery of peptides to interrupt PPIs. This work details the recent advancements we have made to improve our high throughput technique, mRNA display, to yield more therapeutically relevant peptides to inhibit PPIs. Our advancements are focused on cell permeability, protease stability, and secondary structure for enhanced affinity. Here we develop and optimize a cyclic CPP that can be included in future mRNA display libraries. We also tested the ability of our CPP to deliver an impermeable peptide cargo into cells. We rationally designed and tested linear and cyclic peptides to improve affinity to the BRCA1 protein. We used computational work to complement our experimental results for our CPPs and BRCA1 inhibitors. We examined peptides that arose from a library containing a mix of linear, monocyclic, and bicyclic peptides constructed using orthogonal cyclization chemistries. We rationally designed cyclic peptides and tested their affinity against Hsp70. We proposed a novel selection strategy to find optimal CPP motifs.

With a demand for high-quality cotton fiber in international markets, improvement of fiber quality in U.S. grown commercial cultivars is necessary. Smith, Hague, Thaxton, and Jones developed a group of experimental lines in 2008 that produced extra-long staple fiber (>35.6 mm). This study determined general combining ability (GCA), and specific combining ability (SCA) of four experimental ELS lines and four commercial cultivars utilizing biplot and conventional diallel analysis, determined performance of F2 progeny, calculated broad-sense (H2) heritability estimates for F2 progeny, and verified the ability of selected parental combinations to produce variable segregating populations with variability of fiber traits. Initial crosses were made in 2007, with additional crosses being made in the field and in a greenhouse in 2008. F1 progeny and parents were grown in a replicated trial near College Station, TX, in 2007 and 2008. F2 progeny lines and parents were grown in replicated trials at two locations in 2008. Due to a significant GxY interaction for all F1 fiber traits, data were reported by years. Experimental ELS lines showed positive GCA effects for fiber length, strength, and length uniformity, while the majority of commercial lines showed negative effects. These findings suggest experimental ELS lines contain alleles for fiber length and strength not present in this particular set of commercial cultivars. Experimental ELS lines exhibited negative GCA effects for lint percent, which suggests further selection is needed for these lines to be commercially competitive. Performances of F2 lines suggest differences in fiber traits are predominantly due to additive gene action. Furthermore, data suggests alleles for fiber length and strength is present in the experimental ELS lines not present in the commercial cultivars. F2 progeny exhibited moderate heritability for all fiber traits. Sufficient variability exists within selected F2 progeny to select for phenotypes exhibiting improved fiber quality over commercial cultivar potential with similar agronomic qualities of commercial cultivars. The ELS lines are a useful source of germplasm for plant breeders looking to improve fiber qualities in their programs.

The Bronze Age in southern Sweden is a period that has seen a great deal of research for as long as archaeological studies have been undertaken in this country. While we have a rich material record and even many visible indicators of the time in the landscape, such as the rock carvings of Tanum and the many mounds dotting the landscape, many aspects of that society are relatively poorly understood. I´m mainly referring to the economic structures underpinning Bronze Age societies. This project will take the models of Wealth and Staple Finance Systems, developed by Timothy Earle and successfully tested in many equivalent contexts around the world, and apply them on Swedish settlement materials from the Bronze Age settlements of Pryssgården and Apalle. The study looks at site distribution patterns, the prevalence of prestige goods and the possible importance of external contacts in order to produce a reliable economic model of the Swedish Bronze Age. While some similarities in resource management are obvious, some relevant aspects were found to differ.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-04-28 / OBJETIVO: Avaliar, comparativamente, o estado nutricional de ferro de indivíduos vegetarianos e não vegetarianos, por meio de exames laboratoriais. MÉTODOS: Cinqüenta e nove indivíduos com idades entre 20 e 50 anos reuniram critérios de inclusão, consentiram em participar do estudo, sendo todas do sexo feminino. Série vermelha, ferritina sérica, transferrina e quantificação do consumo alimentar de ferro e vitamina C, foram análises realizadas para determinar o estado nutricional de ferro dos participantes. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se valor energético total (VET) ingerido semelhante nos dois grupos, o mesmo ocorrendo para o consumo de ferro, e valores da ferritina e transferrina sérica, além da série vermelha dos participantes. Em relação ao consumo de vitamina C, apresentaram-se níveis maiores para o grupo dos sem carne (SC). CONCLUSÕES: Dietas vegetarianas balanceadas não oferecem risco ao estado nutricional de ferro do indivíduo e, podem ser atendidas tanto qualitativa, como quantitativamente, desde que planejadas e acompanhadas por profissional especializado, já que este assunto é, ainda para muitos, desconhecido quanto a conduta com o paciente. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

A dermorrafia é vital para o sucesso do procedimento por ser a última etapa cirúrgica. Este estudo comparou a síntese e o processo de cicatrização de pele em cães com a utilização de três diferentes materiais, fio de náilon (grupo GFN), fio farpado (grupo GFF) e grampo cirúrgico (grupo GGC), após ovariohisterectomia. Foram utilizadas 27 fêmeas caninas aptas a serem castradas eletivamente que não apresentavam comorbidades. Os animais foram divididos randomicamente nos três grupos e submetidos à dermorrafia com os materiais a serem testados. Foram avaliados: o tempo para a sutura da pele, as complicações relatadas pelos tutores e a temperatura local da pele em cicatrização. Foram também avaliados diversos parâmetros clínicos de cicatrização em sete dias de pósoperatório, bem como parâmetros histológicos de biópsias de pele coletadas aos 14 dias. O grampo cirúrgico apresentou o menor tempo (p<0,001) para dermorrafia e a maior ocorrência de deiscências de sutura. O fio farpado apresentou o menor escore (p=0,006) de alterações clínicas aos sete dias de pós-cirúrgico e não apresentou ocorrência de deiscência de sutura. Contudo não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto à avaliação histológica da biópsia cicatricial aos 14 dias. O fio farpado apresentou segurança na sutura e fácil manipulação na dermorrafia de cães, enquanto o grampo cirúrgico utilizado mostrou-se pouco confiável devido ao grau elevado de deiscência. / Dermorrhaphy is vital to the success of the procedure because it is the last surgical step. This study compared the synthesis and the process of skin healing in dogs using three different materials, nylon thread (GFN group), barbed wire (GFF group) and surgical staple [SV1] (GGC group) after ovariohysterectomy. Twenty-seven canine females without comorbidities were electively castrated. The animals were randomly divided into three treatment groups and submitted to dermorrhaphy with the materials to be tested.. The following were evaluated: time to suture the skin with each material, the complications reported by the tutors and the local temperature of the skin in healing process. Several clinical parameters of healing were also evaluated in seven postoperative days, as well as histological parameters of skin biopsies collected at 14 days. The surgical staple showed the shortest time (p<0.001) for dermorrhaphy and the higher occurrence of suture dehiscences. The barbed wire had the lowest score (p=0.006) of clinical changes on the seventh postoperative day and did not presented an occurrence of suture dehiscence. However, there was no difference between the groups regarding the histological evaluation of cicatricial biopsy at 14 days. The barbed wire showed security in the suture and easy manipulation in the dermorrhaphy of dogs, while the surgical staple used proved to be unreliable due to the high degree of dehiscence.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:50:52Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 russo_c_me_botfmvz.pdf: 305172 bytes, checksum: 98be7173ec1866465a650153f00c8f74 (MD5) / O presente trabalho propõe uma nova técnica para correção das luxações de patela, principalmente para os pacientes que apresentem a patela alta. Foram utilizados 12 cães adultos, sadios, sem raça definida, com peso vivo médio de 10 Kg. A técnica cirúrgica constou de incisão parapatelar da pele e cápsula articular. Após o deslocamento medial da patela, foi realizado o aprofundamento do sulco troclear com o auxílio de uma lima cilíndrica para metal, removendo-se a cartilagem articular e tecido ósseo subcondral , até que o sulco adquirisse uma profundidade equivalente a pelo menos a metade da espessura da patela. Após o aprofundamento do sulco troclear foi realizado o implante de um grampo metálico confeccionado com um pino intramedular de Steinmann, imediatamente proximal à crista troclear medial, dando continuidade à mesma, numa extensão equivalente à trajetória da patela. Em seguida a cápsula articular foi suturada em um padrão Sultan, iniciando-se pelo ligamento femuropatelar lateral, e a pele com pontos em U com fio de nylon 3-0. O tempo médio de apoio do membro foi de 5 dias, sendo que aos 10 dias de pós-operatório todos os cães apoiavam normalmente o membro. As avaliações radiográficas no período pós-operatório imediato, aos 30, 60 e 90 dias não revelaram alterações referentes a presença do grampo metálico, tais como áreas de osteólise ou migração do grampo. / This work shows a new technique for correction of patellar luxation, mainly for the pacients with high hiding patella. Twelve adult and healthy mongrel dogs with average weigh of 10 Kg were used for this study. The surgical technique consisted of skin and articular capsule parapatellar incision and after that was done the medial displacement of patella from trochlear groove which was deepened using a cylindrical rasp for metal, to remove the articular cartilage and subchondral bone tissue in a depth equivalent to the half of the patella thickness. After this, an implant of a metallic staple, confectioned using a Steinmamm intramedullary pin, was used proximal to the medial tochlear crest giving continuity in an extension equivalent to patella trajectory. Then the articular capsule was sutured using Sultan pattern from the lateral femuropatellar ligament and the skin closure was performed by U pattern, both with nylon 3-0. The average time of support of the affected limb was five days and after ten days of postoperative period, all dogs supported it normally. The radiological evaluations at immediate postoperative period and at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days, didn't show any alterations related to the presence of the metallic staple, like osteolytic lesions or migration of the staple. The histopathological evaluations of the femoral tochlea of the limb submitted to the surgery presented changes of the cartilaginous tissue for a fibrocartilagenous one. The histology of the patella and the implant site of the metallic staple didn't show any abnormalities when compared to the contra-lateral limb.

Orientador: Paulo Iamaguti / Resumo: O presente trabalho propõe uma nova técnica para correção das luxações de patela, principalmente para os pacientes que apresentem a "patela alta". Foram utilizados 12 cães adultos, sadios, sem raça definida, com peso vivo médio de 10 Kg. A técnica cirúrgica constou de incisão parapatelar da pele e cápsula articular. Após o deslocamento medial da patela, foi realizado o aprofundamento do sulco troclear com o auxílio de uma lima cilíndrica para metal, removendo-se a cartilagem articular e tecido ósseo subcondral , até que o sulco adquirisse uma profundidade equivalente a pelo menos a metade da espessura da patela. Após o aprofundamento do sulco troclear foi realizado o implante de um grampo metálico confeccionado com um pino intramedular de Steinmann, imediatamente proximal à crista troclear medial, dando continuidade à mesma, numa extensão equivalente à trajetória da patela. Em seguida a cápsula articular foi suturada em um padrão Sultan, iniciando-se pelo ligamento femuropatelar lateral, e a pele com pontos em "U" com fio de nylon 3-0. O tempo médio de apoio do membro foi de 5 dias, sendo que aos 10 dias de pós-operatório todos os cães apoiavam normalmente o membro. As avaliações radiográficas no período pós-operatório imediato, aos 30, 60 e 90 dias não revelaram alterações referentes a presença do grampo metálico, tais como áreas de osteólise ou migração do grampo. / Abstract: This work shows a new technique for correction of patellar luxation, mainly for the pacients with "high hiding patella". Twelve adult and healthy mongrel dogs with average weigh of 10 Kg were used for this study. The surgical technique consisted of skin and articular capsule parapatellar incision and after that was done the medial displacement of patella from trochlear groove which was deepened using a cylindrical rasp for metal, to remove the articular cartilage and subchondral bone tissue in a depth equivalent to the half of the patella thickness. After this, an implant of a metallic staple, confectioned using a Steinmamm intramedullary pin, was used proximal to the medial tochlear crest giving continuity in an extension equivalent to patella trajectory. Then the articular capsule was sutured using Sultan pattern from the lateral femuropatellar ligament and the skin closure was performed by "U" pattern, both with nylon 3-0. The average time of support of the affected limb was five days and after ten days of postoperative period, all dogs supported it normally. The radiological evaluations at immediate postoperative period and at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days, didn't show any alterations related to the presence of the metallic staple, like osteolytic lesions or migration of the staple. The histopathological evaluations of the femoral tochlea of the limb submitted to the surgery presented changes of the cartilaginous tissue for a fibrocartilagenous one. The histology of the patella and the implant site of the metallic staple didn't show any abnormalities when compared to the contra-lateral limb. / Mestre