Innovation Research in High-Value Commodity Chains: Lessons Learned

The current paper reports on the main findings emerging from a research alternative to the two dominant paradigms in agricultural development. This alternative is both context-driven and problem-focused on the rapidly developing East African market-oriented agriculture that demonstrates high economic growth rates based on high-value market-driven commodity chains. The approach to this innovative research in high-value chains includes information feedback loops that bring back translated reports regarding market requirements, retailers’ requests, tailor made production techniques, etc. These reports include price determining information like preferences for certain quality attributes such as colour, size, and texture in addition to extrinsic quality attributes such as food safety, production method, as well as the values that are embedded in certified organic, environmental issues or place of origin. The research was conducted in close collaboration with farmers to increase the adoption rate of the innovations being developed

An Interactive Interest Rate Activity for Financial Management

Students often have little understanding of appropriate interest rates, since textbook problems routinely provide a rate. In this activity, small groups establish interest rates and identify concerns for several realistic loan requests. This prepares the class for a brief lecture on interest rate components, including the risk-free rate and various risk premiums. Follow-up discussion of the loan requests and possible changes enables the instructor to assess the lecture’s effectiveness and misunderstandings. Biblical references to debt, interest, and usury can be used as a lead-in to the topic or as a follow-up to integrate Christian faith with this topic

Test of peak values in physiopathologic time series

1 online resource (PDF, 17 pages

Microsatellite Instability and its Significance to Hereditary and Sporadic Cancer

Up to one million people within the United States may have Lynch syndrome (LS), but only 10% have been diagnosed. Early identification of these individuals is critical because they are predisposed to the development of colorectal and several other cancers at a relatively young age. Individuals with LS carry a germline mutation in one of four DNA mismatch repair genes, which leads to hypermutability in simple repetitive DNA sequences. This hallmark molecular phenotype called microsatellite instability (MSI) is now widely used to screen individuals needing germline sequencing to confirm diagnosis of LS. Standardized markers for MSI testing and other improvements in methodology have greatly improved the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of MSI testing. The current trend toward universal MSI screening of all colorectal and endometrial cancers will save lives by identifying LS prior to the development of deadly cancer. New technologies for MSI detection, such as next generation sequencing, open the possibility of a single test for LS that determines both tumor MSI status and germline mutations. Moreover, MSI detection is poised to take on an even greater role in prediction of responses to the new immunotherapies targeted at MSI-positive tumors

Growth Rates and Histopathological Outcomes of Small (6-9 MM) Colorectal Polyps Based on CT Colonography Surveillance and Endoscopic Removal

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The natural history of small polyps is not well established and rests on limited evidence from barium enema studies decades ago. Patients with one or two small polyps (6-9 mm) at screening CT colonography (CTC) are offered CTC surveillance at 3 years but may elect immediate colonoscopy. This practice allows direct observation of the growth of subcentimetre polyps, with histopathological correlation in patients undergoing subsequent polypectomy. DESIGN: Of 11 165 asymptomatic patients screened by CTC over a period of 16.4 years, 1067 had one or two 6-9 mm polyps detected (with no polyps ≥10 mm). Of these, 314 (mean age, 57.4 years; M:F, 141:173; 375 total polyps) elected immediate colonoscopic polypectomy, and 382 (mean age 57.0 years; M:F, 217:165; 481 total polyps) elected CTC surveillance over a mean of 4.7 years. Volumetric polyp growth was analysed, with histopathological correlation for resected polyps. Polyp growth and regression were defined as volume change of ±20% per year, with rapid growth defined as +100% per year (annual volume doubling). Regression analysis was performed to evaluate predictors of advanced histology, defined as the presence of cancer, high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or villous components. RESULTS: Of the 314 patients who underwent immediate polypectomy, 67.8% (213/314) harboured adenomas, 2.2% (7/314) with advanced histology; no polyps contained cancer or HGD. Of 382 patients who underwent CTC surveillance, 24.9% (95/382) had polyps that grew, while 62.0% (237/382) remained stable and 13.1% (50/382) regressed in size. Of the 58.6% (224/382) CTC surveillance patients who ultimately underwent colonoscopic resection, 87.1% (195/224) harboured adenomas, 12.9% (29/224) with advanced histology. Of CTC surveillance patients with growing polyps who underwent resection, 23.2% (19/82) harboured advanced histology vs 7.0% (10/142) with stable or regressing polyps (OR: 4.0; p CONCLUSION: Small 6-9 mm polyps present overall low risk to patients, with polyp growth strongly associated with higher risk lesions. Most patients (75%) with small 6-9 mm polyps will see polyp stability or regression, with advanced histology seen in only 7%. The minority of patients (25%) with small polyps that do grow have a 3-fold increased risk of advanced histology

Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 \u201cFood Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research, and the Bioeconomy\u201d Advisory Group Recommendations Programming Period 2018-2020

The Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 Programme was created to develop and implement an EU research and innovation policy for more sustainable and resource efficient agriculture, forestry, inland water and marine systems that supply European society with sufficient food, feed, biomass, and other raw materials, as well as ecosystems services, and support thriving rural and coastal livelihoods. The European Commission has established Societal Challenge Advisory Groups to provide consistent and consolidated advice - by way of opinions, recommendations and reports - on relevant research objectives and scientific, technological and innovation priorities for its strategic and annual work programmes. Our Societal Challenge 2 Advisory Group includes a wide range of members with remarkably rich and diverse backgrounds and affiliations, including researchers, academics, former policymakers - stakeholders covering the whole spectrum of relevant research and innovation domains. Our Advisory Group has met twice formally since our establishment in February 2016, and has used other opportunities for extensive discussion and engagement on the issues surrounding this Societal Challenge. We see Societal Challenge 2 as not only extremely important as a challenge in itself, but also strongly linked with other Societal Challenges such as health, demographic change and wellbeing, climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials, and inclusive, innovative and reflective societies in a changing world. And as the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food sectors comprise a very large number of smaller businesses \u2013 themselves serving large scale processing and retail business sectors \u2013 there are strong links between our contribution and the input of groups advising on innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises, international cooperation, nanotechnologies, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing and processing. Our Advisory Group\u2018s first task has been to prepare this report to answer five specific questions posed by the Commission and provide input into the strategic programming cycle of the Work Programme for 2018-2020. We have identified some overriding strategic priorities, and backed those with the results of a more detailed analysis of the gaps that need to be addressed. And we highlight the cross-cutting nature of this programme and the importance of an integrated approach to maximise the overall impact of the current Horizon 2020 programme. We hope that the insights in this report may also assist in the identification and prioritisation of research needs and strengthen the Commission\u2018s strategic and impact-oriented approach in future years