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Specialty eggplants (Solanum melongena L.), cultivars with fruit shapes, sizes, and colors different from the typical teardrop-shaped, dark purple eggplant fruit, are an underproduced vegetable commodity in the southeastern United States. Seven cultivars representing seven different fruit types were grown in Charleston, SC, USA, in Spring and Fall 2018 and 2019 to assess cultivar productivity and net return. Despite yearto-year variability, Hansel (Chinese type), Millionaire (Japanese type), and Gretel (white fruit) generally had greater weights of both marketable (US Fancy and No. 1 fruit) and edible (US Fancy, No. 1 and No. 2) fruit than Fairy Tale (Sicilian type) and Patio Baby (Indian type), whereas the globe-fruited cultivars Black Beauty (heirloom) and Rosa Bianca (Italian type), had intermediate yields. Yields of plants after ratooning in the fall were lower than in the spring before ratooning. Prices per carton paid by local food hubs for US Fancy, No. 1, and No. 2 fruit were two to three times greater than wholesale terminal market prices. Nevertheless, fruit weights were a greater determinant of net returns than prices were. Growers in the southeastern coastal plain can maximize net returns from specialty eggplant crops by choosing cultivars that produce high fruit weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coriander is a medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) traditionally cultivated and used in Alentejo, Portugal. However, few publications are available about its ethnobotanical applications. Four independent ethnobotanical surveys were carried out: throughout the region (2002–2003), in three villages (2013), and in city markets (2007 and 2022). Coriander was the most common fresh cultivated MAP (75% of the total area) and also the most representative MAP fresh herb in city markets. The leaves, mostly, were used fresh or frozen or transformed in piso. Some of the recipes have agro-industrial potential, such as piso and aromatized olive oil. Coriander essential oils (EOs) were isolated by hydrodistillation from aerial parts with inflorescence emergence (APIs) and from fruits, and fatty acids (FA) by solvent extraction from the fruits. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed EOs dominated by n-decanal (21–24%), 2-trans-decenal (12–18%) and n-nonane (10–17%) in APIs, and linalool dominance (73–78%) in the fruits. Petroselinic acid (32–55%) was the dominant fatty acid. A literature survey on conventional and nonconventional extraction techniques showed a constancy in the dominant compounds isolated, highlighted piso as a home-made green-extraction procedure, but also reflected the relevance of coriander as a MAP with diverse industrial potential uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Carried out a structural analysis to identify the variables that intervene in the strengthening of the short food supply chains in the Metropolitan Area of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico (ZMX). Methodology: A descriptive and correlational research was carried out, with a mixed approach, semi-structured interviews Results: The SFSC identified in the ZMX were characterized according to the type of proximity, temporality, type of production, size, form of organization, validity, type of initiative, the origin of the products, pricing strategy, and communication strategy with the consumers. In addition, it was identified that the key variables for the strengthening of the CCC in the ZMX are agroecological production, consumer education, governance, and diversity in the supply of local products. Limitations: The particularities of the context and the social actors generate constant changes in the development of the SFSC, for which reason the research registers a specific time. Conclusions: The SFSC plays a relevant role in territorial development, mainly for the link between the urban and peri-urban areas of the ZMX. Multi-stakeholder participation is important for its strengthening, and this can be linked to public program strategies that facilitate the creation and consolidation of SFSC in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contextualization: sustainability of food systems has acquired great relevance in academic and political fields, and the emergence of proposals questioning food distribution on a global scale stands out. In Colombia, the experience of the National Network of Family Farming (RENAF for its Spanish acronym) and its campaign "Llevo el Campo colombiano" (I carry the Colombian countryside, in English) stand out, which integrates farmers, ethnic, and agroecological markets in various departments of the country. Knowledge gap: Lack of analysis on the potential of short marketing circuits concerning sustainability, based on analysis frameworks contextualized from the perspective of actors making them up. Purpose: To analyze the sustainability of the markets in short marketing circuits of the "Llevo el Campo colombiano" campaign of the Cundinamarca Node of the National Network of Family Farming (RENAF for its Spanish acronym) and its contribution to the food systems sustainability. Methodology: Three surveys with mixed questions were used to collect information. A sustainability analysis framework was developed with 25 indicators grouped into five attributes: self-management, stability, territorial dynamization, equity, and environmental care. The analysis of the relationships between indicators was carried out through a multiple correspondence analysis. Results and conclusions: the self-management and environmental care attributes showed the highest contribution values to sustainability, followed by stability, and equity which reached a similar value. There are indicators to be strengthened in all attributes, which would allow the reinforcement of market dynamics and, therefore, their contribution to the food system sustainability from a territorial perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Catalana de Dret Ambiental is the property of Universitat Rovira I Virgili and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research article examines the use of quantitative methods in decision-making processes in public industrial sector companies in Iraq. The findings indicate that these companies do not currently utilize quantitative methods, highlighting the need for a central supporting unit to implement these methods. The article emphasizes the importance of quantitative methods in making objective economic decisions and reducing uncertainty in local markets. It also discusses the challenges faced by these companies and suggests the involvement of experts in management sciences and economics to overcome these challenges. The article concludes by recommending the establishment of training programs and specialized technical departments to improve decision-making. [Extracted from the article]

Coriander is a medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) traditionally cultivated and used in Alentejo, Portugal. However, few publications are available about its ethnobotanical applications. Four independent ethnobotanical surveys were carried out: throughout the region (2002–2003), in three villages (2013), and in city markets (2007 and 2022). Coriander was the most common fresh cultivated MAP (75% of the total area) and also the most representative MAP fresh herb in city markets. The leaves, mostly, were used fresh or frozen or transformed in piso. Some of the recipes have agro-industrial potential, such as piso and aromatized olive oil. Coriander essential oils (EOs) were isolated by hydrodistillation from aerial parts with inflorescence emergence (APIs) and from fruits, and fatty acids (FA) by solvent extraction from the fruits. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed EOs dominated by n-decanal (21–24%), 2-trans-decenal (12–18%) and n-nonane (10–17%) in APIs, and linalool dominance (73–78%) in the fruits. Petroselinic acid (32–55%) was the dominant fatty acid. A literature survey on conventional and nonconventional extraction techniques showed a constancy in the dominant compounds isolated, highlighted piso as a home-made green-extraction procedure, but also reflected the relevance of coriander as a MAP with diverse industrial potential uses.

Copyright of Iraq Journal of Market Research & Consumer Protection / Al-Mağallaẗ al-ʿIrāqiyyaẗ li-Buḥūṯ al-Sūq wa-Ḥimāyaẗ al-Mustahlik is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agroalimentaria is the property of Alejandro Antonio Gutierrez Socorro and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

While conventional analyses of farm hospitality upsides and downsides exist, the emotional labour requirements of such service-intensive activity are frequently overlooked. Ignoring this emotional component and its consequences (e.g. identity loss vs. reinforcement, emotional harmony) can explain project fates. By applying emotional labour to farm-based hospitality, we draw new insights. Farmers can benefit from guests' emotional support and become 'makers' rather than 'takers' of emotional rules. From a policy perspective, increasing the farmers' emotional literacy can facilitate a better match between their characteristics and agritourism projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in the topic of sustainable development is steadily growing, responsible business models show stability in modern conditions of socio-economic turbulence. The aim is to demonstrate by the example of the chosen company the concept of ethical consumption influence effects on organization management and business development in the aging economy. Methods: the case study method to generalize consumption practices based on ethics and development of organization management model, benchmarking of organization management practices based on the concept of ethical consumption for the Tomsk market. The authors complied a comparative characteristic for the parameters of the Tomsk food market organizations operating on the basis of the ethical consumption concept; developed a model of the concept of ethical consumption for SibirEko LLC and proposed recommendations for adjusting the corporate strategy. Conclusions. The practice of applying the ethical consumption concept is in development in the Russian market, in general, and Tomsk, in particular. The authors proposed a three-pronged development model based on the case of the Tomsk organization and developed measures to improve business management taking into account the aging of the population and the development of new markets and business areas. The authors concluded that food producers in Tomsk focused on further access to export markets, but not on the development of the domestic «silver market».

Copyright of Marsh Bulletin is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Elemental contamination in cosmetics is a serious health concern as it can pose a cumulative effect on the user's body over a long period. The prime motive of the study was to assess the concentration of 10 concerning chemical elements (Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) in imported and local lipsticks and eye pencil samples collected from retail outlets in central Bangladesh (Dhaka city) and to assess their dynamic health risks for users. A total of 18 lipsticks and 24 eye pencils were studied and concentrations of chemical elements were examined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The health risk assessment was performed for dermal and ingestion routes of the contaminants. The results reveal that the concentrations of the examined elements vary with colors, brands, and origins. Pb and As concentrations were found below the permissible limit but Cr concentration in some samples exceeded the allowable limit in cosmetics. Cd was not detected in any samples; however, other examined elements such as Co, Ni, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe were detected in considerable concentrations. Elements like Mn, Zn, and Fe were found at high levels. In the case of lipstick samples, elemental concentrations followed the order of Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > As, while the order was Fe > Cu > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Co > Pb > As for eye pencil samples. Results of the hazards quotient (HQ) indicate that there were no non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks of elements in samples for dermal exposure. But the cancer risk values of Cr (HQ > 1 for ingestion) in brown color lipsticks and Ni indicate that lipsticks have some carcinogenic effects if they enter the user's body. Dermal cancer risk for eye pencils has also been calculated and for Pb, Cr, Ni, and As; the values were found within the acceptable ranges of 10−6–10−4. It is suggested that the allowable limit of all toxic elements in cosmetics must be established. Furthermore, continuous monitoring is urgently needed for personal care products like lipsticks and eye pencils commonly available in the local markets in the country like Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants continue to constitute key elements of medical practice in West African countries. The Cabo Verde archipelago hosts a great diversity of medicinal plants and local markets are considered important sites for trading plants harvested by rural communities. This study has two main goals: (i) to assess the medicinal uses of native species in Santiago, the biggest island of the archipelago, and (ii) to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic/antihyperglycemic activities of two native trees (Tamarix senegalensis and Sideroxylon marginatum) used in traditional medicine and traded in local markets. Our results revealed that on Santiago Island, 24 native plants are used in traditional medicine. The main uses of these species (e.g., forage, timber, food and fibres), their medicinal applications, the plant parts used, their mode of administration and conservation status are presented here for the first time. Moreover, the pharmacological characterization of two native tree species revealed that hydroethanolic extracts were richer in phenolic compounds and more active than their aqueous counterparts. All the studied extracts revealed significant antioxidant properties (DPPH and FRAP assays) and were generally moderately active against Gram-positive bacteria. All the extracts inhibited the activities of the carbohydrate digestive enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner. For α-glucosidase, the detected inhibitory activity (IC50 values from 2.0 ± 0.2 μg/mL to 9.9 ± 1.2 μg/mL) was significantly higher than that of acarbose, suggesting that extracts of both species can delay glucose absorption, thereby assisting in slowing down the progression of diabetes. Our findings highlight the crucial importance that medicinal plants have for the Cabo Verdean population, while also raising awareness on the need for sustainable use and conservation of native flora, and of tree species traded in local markets in particular.

The present research proposes a comprehensive model to determine the retailer strategy for purchasing electrical power from the wholesale and/or local market in an active distribution network. The uncertainties associated with the load and distributed generation resources in the active distribution network, wholesale market price, and behavior of the local market players were all incorporated into the presented model. The demand response program benefits the retailers in governing the risks. A risk-based decision-making scheme was established in this paper that considered every instrument accessible to retailers and the uncertainties involved. The major objective of this paper is to maximize the retailer benefit concerning a tolerable risk. In order to model risks, scenario theories were exploited and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was employed to solve the optimization problem. The proposed scheme was simulated in an actual network, and the obtained results confirmed the effectiveness and computability of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Chicken meat can be contaminated by microorganisms anywhere in the supply chain, from farm to market, and these microorganisms can be transmitted to humans through direct contact, contact with the environment, and food consumption. The microbial contamination has a serious impact on public health. This study aimed to analyze the microbial contamination of chicken meat sampled from local markets in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 samples of fresh chicken meat obtained from 10 traditional markets (six samples per market) were examined for the presence of bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli were identified using Gram staining, culturing, and biochemical tests. The most probable number (MPN) method was used to identify E. coli. Results: Most chicken meat samples were positive for S. aureus (58.3%), Salmonella spp. (48.3%), and E. coli (40%). The samples were considered positive for E. coli if the MPN value was higher than 1×101 CFU/g. Conclusion: High microbial contamination was found in all the chicken meat sampled from local markets in Surabaya. Such contamination can lead to foodborne diseases so, proper hygiene and sanitation standards should be followed from slaughterhouses to the end-users.

By applying the Bresnahan-Reiss empirical entry threshold model on Census data for the waves 1981 to 2011, we study the evolution of entry conditions in Italian local banking markets under a long-run perspective in order to capture the consequences of the removal of branching restrictions that occurred in the early 1990s. We do not find evidence of collusive behavior among local banks; instead, competition seems to have increased with respect to the number of banks and through the years—even if banks' variable profits have risen over time. Overall, banks appear to have responded to the growing competition through the adoption of non-price strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As informal workers struggle to survive the current crisis, there is reason to believe that more strain would also be exerted on the already fragile sector in the post-crisis era. The implications of the COVID-19 outbreak for the informal economy will continue. Faced with a long crisis, the global economy would likely shrink demand for informal goods and services. The primary goal of this paper is to study consumer behavior during the pandemic, investigate government-implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the unorganized retail sector, and determine if consumers prefer to have goods delivered to their homes rather than visit retail stores. This paper collected information from a number of Indian customers who made unorganized retail transactions in New Delhi and NCR Region. The sample was taken from 700 citizens of New Delhi, India. The study found that product variety, digital payment, scheduling, free delivery and lower speed have a significant effect on customer behavior. In addition, SOPs do not influence consumer behavior. The main reasons for choosing a specific channel are simple availability, security, less hassle, and compliance with all laws. The pandemic led to a renewed trust in the local Kirana shop, with new clients visiting metro and non-metro shops locally. The system in Kirana has changed from physical sales to digital aviation because of the pandemic.

Every country has objectives for climate change, and public policies are implemented to achieve those commitments. This paper aims to review the different public policies used to promote the integration of photovoltaic technology into smart grids, taking the case of Portugal as reference. An analysis of previous supporting policies is performed both in Portugal and some European countries; these policies consist of feed-in tariffs, feed-in premiums, green certificates, electricity compensation, direct capital subsidies, and tax credits. The policies currently in force in Portugal no longer aim to support the technology; instead, they intend to promote it. Energy communities, local markets, and solar auctions are examples of public policies that are currently being used, not only to promote PV power but also the development of microgrids. Finally, the Portuguese solar auctions of 2019 and 2020 are analyzed and compared. It is concluded that auctions are a very effective way of expanding the installed capacity of the PV technology in the country and have more weight on promoting the technology than other promoting policies currently being used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We utilized all Spanish marriage records available at the municipality level from 2005–2007 to model spatial variations in intermarriage. We constructed a spatial regime zero-inflated Poisson model and grouped-data probit model, with spatially lagged regressors, to predict the absolute and relative presence of intermarriage between Spaniards and migrants based on structural characteristics of the local marriage markets and their neighboring areas (i.e., relative group size, homogeneity of national origins, and sex ratio indicators). Our models do not assume collapsibility of the marriage market. Instead, they incorporate the local dimension of the marriage market and examine the association between intermarriage and structural variables at the spatial local level. The model also investigates intermarriage variation by size of place. The local characteristics of the marriage markets are robust indicators of both the absolute and relative importance of intermarriage, but their impact varies by size of municipality. The relative size of the migrant community positively impacts intermarriage. The homogeneity of the origins of migrants is negatively related to it. The impact of sex ratios in the migrant and native communities on intermarriage is not uniform across all municipalities and is not always related to more intermarriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous growth of cities in developing countries portends the challenge of food provisioning. This study therefore examined the policy dimensions of food flows and distribution for the Accra metropolis. The study methodology involved review of policy documents, interviews with government officials and city authorities, and discussions with a cross-section of food commodity traders at the city's markets. The study established that the city's food region is very extensive with the principal food staples originating from distant areas. The city's local markets (and numerous informal markets) are very important in the food distribution network. However, they are characterised by inadequate infrastructure, poor waste management and congestion in view of poor planning. There is no composite national policy on city food supply and distribution apart from discrete programmes that seek to encourage partnership between city authorities and the private sector for the development of market infrastructure. The paper advocates for comprehensive national policy to ensure well-defined rural-urban linkages and city level agenda for sustainable food access in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Austral de Ciencias Sociales is the property of Facultad de Filosofia y Humanidades, Intituto de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Austral de Chile and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pasos: Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural is the property of Universidad de La Laguna, Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Politicas y Sociales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Aim: Chicken meat can be contaminated by microorganisms anywhere in the supply chain, from farm to market, and these microorganisms can be transmitted to humans through direct contact, contact with the environment, and food consumption. The microbial contamination has a serious impact on public health. This study aimed to analyze the microbial contamination of chicken meat sampled from local markets in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 samples of fresh chicken meat obtained from 10 traditional markets (six samples per market) were examined for the presence of bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli were identified using Gram staining, culturing, and biochemical tests. The most probable number (MPN) method was used to identify E. coli. Results: Most chicken meat samples were positive for S. aureus (58.3%), Salmonella spp. (48.3%), and E. coli (40%). The samples were considered positive for E. coli if the MPN value was higher than 1x10¹ CFU/g. Conclusion: High microbial contamination was found in all the chicken meat sampled from local markets in Surabaya. Such contamination can lead to foodborne diseases so, proper hygiene and sanitation standards should be followed from slaughterhouses to the end-users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government intervention in the housing market in response to the 2007–2010 mortgage crisis was driven in part by research showing that foreclosures lower neighboring housing values and thus increase neighbors' risk of foreclosure. Researchers have consistently identified a negative spillover effect of foreclosures on nearby housing values, but the magnitude of the effect varies widely across studies. Although this variation is due, in part, to differences in the geographic region, time period, and empirical strategy of prior research, we argue that the spillover effect on nearby housing prices exhibits hyper-local variation, which may be obscured by models that aggregate spillover effect estimates within existing geographic units. In this article, we employ geographically weighted regression to capture the extent of spatial and temporal variation of foreclosure spillover effects in three Ohio metropolitan statistical areas. We find extensive heterogeneity of foreclosure spillover effect estimates over time and across space, suggesting that such spillovers perhaps should not be thought of as universal phenomena. These findings raise the possibility that policies and programs designed to intervene in the housing market should analyze and use local variation in the negative externalities of foreclosure to best target scarce resources within and across communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every country has objectives for climate change, and public policies are implemented to achieve those commitments. This paper aims to review the different public policies used to promote the integration of photovoltaic technology into smart grids, taking the case of Portugal as reference. An analysis of previous supporting policies is performed both in Portugal and some European countries; these policies consist of feed-in tariffs, feed-in premiums, green certificates, electricity compensation, direct capital subsidies, and tax credits. The policies currently in force in Portugal no longer aim to support the technology; instead, they intend to promote it. Energy communities, local markets, and solar auctions are examples of public policies that are currently being used, not only to promote PV power but also the development of microgrids. Finally, the Portuguese solar auctions of 2019 and 2020 are analyzed and compared. It is concluded that auctions are a very effective way of expanding the installed capacity of the PV technology in the country and have more weight on promoting the technology than other promoting policies currently being used.

We utilized all Spanish marriage records available at the municipality level from 2005–2007 to model spatial variations in intermarriage. We constructed a spatial regime zero-inflated Poisson model and grouped-data probit model, with spatially lagged regressors, to predict the absolute and relative presence of intermarriage between Spaniards and migrants based on structural characteristics of the local marriage markets and their neighboring areas (i.e., relative group size, homogeneity of national origins, and sex ratio indicators). Our models do not assume collapsibility of the marriage market. Instead, they incorporate the local dimension of the marriage market and examine the association between intermarriage and structural variables at the spatial local level. The model also investigates intermarriage variation by size of place. The local characteristics of the marriage markets are robust indicators of both the absolute and relative importance of intermarriage, but their impact varies by size of municipality. The relative size of the migrant community positively impacts intermarriage. The homogeneity of the origins of migrants is negatively related to it. The impact of sex ratios in the migrant and native communities on intermarriage is not uniform across all municipalities and is not always related to more intermarriage.

Mexico is the center of domestication and a center for diversity of maize. Area planted with maize is the country's largest agricultural land use, mostly planted by smallholder family farmers known as campesinos. They generally plant native varieties, saving and sharing seed by and among themselves, enabling the evolutionary processes that sustain and generate crop genetic diversity to continue today. Campesinos have been viewed as largely subsistence farmers generating limited maize surpluses. Here, we show that subsistence production is insufficient for explaining the quantity of maize they produce and the extent of the area they plant across Mexico. Our hypothesis is that beyond supplying their own consumption needs, campesinos collectively produce maize to respond to the demand of non-maize producing local consumers. We quantify the extent of subsistence versus surplus production among campesinos, showing that they produce more maize than would be needed to feed themselves and generate substantial surpluses. We test statistically the association between the area campesinos plant with maize across the country with socioeconomic variables that link their production to the demand by other consumers, and examine the implications of the results for the supply and conservation of native maize in the country. Our results suggest that maize trading linking campesinos to other consumers may be important and widespread, contributing to create additional incentives beyond self-consumption to plant native varieties from saved seed. We conclude that there are important opportunities for maintaining maize evolution under domestication at large scale by strengthening local maize markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of RAIMED: Revista de Administração IMED is the property of RAIMED: Revista de Administracao IMED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Eutopía: Revista de Desarrollo Económico Territorial is the property of Eutopia: Revista de Desarrollo Economico Territorial and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this paper, we provide early insights about a rethinking of the dominant logic of circular economy (CE) systems, which are described by the literature as still too strongly focused on the circularity of physical resources primarily for economic and environmental benefits. We could observe that the traditional narrative of the CE is being challenged by new strategies that include the relationships among stakeholders and the reallocation of stakeholder roles. This is even more evident in the current health crisis, COVID-19. Circular economy can have higher integrated impacts beyond the mere economic and environmental spheres if it is conceptualized as an open and dynamic loop of relationships, where stakeholders’ power, roles and responsibilities overlap and converge into an emergent joint-value creation process.

A new decentralised demand response (DR) model relying on bi-directional communications is developed in this study. In this model, each user is considered as an agent that submits its bids according to the consumption urgency and a set of parameters defined by a reinforcement learning algorithm called Q-learning. The bids are sent to a local DR market, which is responsible for communicating all bids to the wholesale market and the system operator (SO), reporting to the customers after determining the local DR market clearing price. From local markets’ viewpoint, the goal is to maximise social welfare. Four DR levels are considered to evaluate the effect of different DR portions in the cost of the electricity purchase. The outcomes are compared with the ones achieved from a centralised approach (aggregation-based model) as well as an uncontrolled method. Numerical studies prove that the proposed decentralised model remarkably drops the electricity cost compare to the uncontrolled method, being nearly as optimal as a centralised approach.

Investigating Impacts of Fuel Costs on Retail Prices for Local and Non-local Milk Products.The Problem of Over-Shooting Supplies of a Tree Crop.Smallholder Livestock Production and the Global Disease Risk

Vegetables form a major component of human diet, but also serve as reservoirs of intestinal parasites. During the present study, vegetables like tomato, capsicum and cucumber were collected from three selected sites i.e. polyhouses and open fields at Punjab Agricultural University (P.A.U.) and local markets near P.A.U during summer and winter seasons. Vegetable samples were processed and helminth parasites (cysts/eggs/larvae) were extracted and identified by standard techniques. Significantly less incidence of helminth parasites was observed on vegetables collected from polyhouses (8.33 and 16.66% respectively during summer and winter) in comparison to that of open fields and highest contamination was reported on vegetables being sold in local markets (33.33% during summer and 41.66% during summer). Out of the tested sources of contamination, water used for washing of vegetables in local markets was found to be maximally infested with parasitic helminths (55.50 and 66.66% respectively during summer and winter), which may be the major source of contamination of vegetables being sold at local markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]