Different countries have different regulations for the approval and cultivation of crops developed by using new plant breeding technologies (NPBTs) such as gene editing. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between global food security and the level of NPBT regulation assuming a World Nation Official (WNO) proposes advice on global NPBT food policies. We show that a stricter NPBT food regulation reduces food security as measured by food availability, access, and utilization. We also find that political rivalry among interest groups worsens the food security status, given the NPBT food technology is more productive and the regulatory policy is influenced by lobbying. When the WNO aims to improve food security and weighs the NPBT food lobby contribution more than the non-NPBT food lobby's in the lobbying game, the total lobbying contributions will be the same for the WNO, and the NPBT food lobby will be more successful in the political process. The NPBT food lobby, however, under food security loses its advantage in the political competition, and this may result in a strict NPBT food policy. Under food security problems implementing stricter NPBT food regulations results in welfare losses. JEL Code: D04, D43, D72, P16
Using panel data on 47 African countries from 1980-2013, this paper investigates the effects of aid on Africa's economic growth from the perspective of political stability. We find that international aid can promote economic growth in Africa, but the effectiveness of aid depends on countries' political stability. Further, the intensity of aid affects its effectiveness. When the aid-GDP ratio is between 0 and 69 per cent, aid can promote economic growth in recipient countries, and when this ratio is 27 per cent, the marginal impact of aid on economic growth is maximized. The findings of this paper suggest that providers of aid should avoid providing a substantial amount of aid to countries at risk of political unrest, and they must determine the optimal scale of aid based on the economic development of recipient countries in order to enable aid to generate better results. Recipient countries should maintain social and political stability and ensure that they do not develop an excessive dependence on aid so that they can achieve the self-sustainable development of their own economies.
Rationale: Full-thickness wound dehiscence with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage following posterior spine surgery is a rare but troublesome complication. In the present study, 3 clinical cases associated with this entity are reported. Patient concerns: The first case developed incision effusion 5 days after posterior decompression and internal fixation for lumbar spinal stenosis. The second case has the same diagnosis and treatment with the first case. She developed intraoperative CSF leak and incision effusion 7 days after the surgery. The third case developed incision effusion 6 days after posterior single door laminoplasty for cervical spondylosis. Diagnosis: All cases developed CSF leak, incision effusion and finally full-thickness wound dehiscence on the postoperative period. Interventions: Bed rest, drainage, vacuum sealing drainage (VSD), and reoperations were applied in all of the patients. Trapezius flap transfer was applied to the third case. One lumbar patient developed deep infection and meningitis; thus, the internal fixation and bone graft were removed. Outcomes: All of the patients received wound healing finally and were followed up for >6 months. No incision complications reoccurred, and preoperative symptoms significantly relieved. Lessons: Several techniques can be adopted to minimize the incidence of complications and proper surgical repair is the most important. Lumbar cistern drainage and VSD are recommended. Some other available options of management will also help.
Picking agriculture is a form of leisure agriculture based on the concept of traditional garden. Due to their unique layout and construction style, picking gardens have different attractive elements, including sightseeing, leisure, entertainment, crop production, and crop picking. However, despite its increasing importance, there is no systematic research on price elasticity or price substitution elasticity of production factors in picking gardens. To fill this gap, we surveyed 308 farmers in five districts of Beijing and employed a translog cost function to compare the impact of operation patterns on peach and cherry production cost by estimating elasticities of substitution between and among inputs. We found that own-price elasticity of all input factors was negative, while substitution relationships existed between labor and land, labor and fertilizer, fertilizer and manure, and manure and pesticide. This indicates that Beijing’s agricultural sector is labor intensive, while fertilizer and pesticide are scarcely used.
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