Global Value Chain Reconfiguration and COVID-19: Investigating the Case for More Resilient Redistributed Models of Production

The COVID-19 pandemic shocked the global economy, laying bare the coordination challenges and vulnerabilities of global value chains (GVCs) across sectors. Governments, consumers, and firms alike have called for greater GVC resilience to ensure critical products are delivered to the right place, at the right time, and in the right condition. This article investigates whether GVC reconfiguration through the adoption of redistributed manufacturing (RDM) in local production can deliver greater resilience against unexpected, disruptive global events. It proposes actionable steps for managers to ensure more resilient GVCs in the face of global shocks.

Elevation of cell-associated HIV-1 RNA transcripts in CSF CD4+ T cells, despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy, is linked to in vivo brain injury

Objective Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), brain injury remains prevalent in people living with HIV-1 infection (PLHIV) possibly due to ART lacking direct inhibition of transcription with continued local production of viral transcripts and neurotoxic proteins, such as Tat, rather than cell-free whole virion toxicity. We quantified cell-associated (CA) HIV-1 RNA-transcripts in CSF and blood, in relation to proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H MRS) of major brain metabolites, in well characterised PLHIV. Methods RNA was extracted from cells in 16 paired samples of CSF and blood, from PLHIV on fully suppressive ART. HIV-1 CA-RNA copies were measured using the highly sensitive Double-R assay and normalized /million CD4+ T cells. 18-colour flow cytometry was used to count and analyse CD4+ T cells and monocytes in CSF and blood. The concentrations of major brain metabolites from 1H MRS in frontal white matter (FWM), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and caudate areas were measured. Brain injury in each voxel was defined using a composite score derived by principal component analysis. Results 14/16 CSF cell samples had quantifiable HIV-1 CA-RNA transcripts, at levels significantly higher than in their PBMCs (median 9,266 vs 185 copies /106 CD4+ T cells; p<0.0001). Higher levels of CSF transcripts were associated with greater brain injury in the FWM (Std beta=-0.73; p=0.007) and PCC (Std beta=-0.61; p=0.03). CSF cells were 91% memory T cells, equally CD4+ (median 3,605) cells and CD8+ T cells (3,632), but contained much fewer B cells (0.4 %), NK cells (2.0%) and monocytes (3.1%; 378 cells; >90% CD14+CD16+ phenotype). CXCR3+CD49d+integrin beta7-negative, CCR5+ CD4+ T cells were significantly enriched in CSF, compared with PBMC (p <0.001). Transcriptional activity in CSF cells was highly correlated with levels of transcriptional activity in CD4+ T cells in PBMC (r=0.76; p=0.002). In contrast, HIV-1 RNA in highly purified monocytes from PBMC was detected in only 6/16 samples. Conclusions Elevated HIV-1 transcripts in CSF cells were associated with in vivo brain injury, despite suppressive ART. The cellular source is most likely the predominant CXCR3+ CD49d+ integrin beta7- CCR5+ memory CD4+ T cells, not monocytes. Inhibitors of transcription to reduce local production of potentially neurotoxic proteins, should be developed.

Producción local de perfiles de aluminio y su impacto en la construcción de viviendas

Dentro de los acabados de viviendas, los materiales más empleados son los perfiles de aluminio que en la localidad se dedica a la comercialización de este insumo que en general son importados. Por ello, la presente investigación tiene como objetivo analizar el impacto que tendría la sustitución de las importaciones por producción local de perfiles de aluminio en los costos y el desempeño en general de la industria de la construcción en la provincia. Para ello se empleó la metodología de evaluación de impacto de la Unión Europea 2006 compuesta por ocho pasos, además se utilizó un enfoque cuantitativo de carácter no experimental, que permitió evaluar el efecto económico de forma objetiva mediante la aplicación de técnicas como encuestas y entrevistas, las mismas que al ser analizadas permitieron sostener la hipótesis siguiente: la producción local de perfiles de aluminio reduce significativamente los costos de construcción de una vivienda. Palabras clave: Productividad; extrusión; importaciones; inversión; efecto económico. ABSTRACT Within the finishes of housing, the most used material are the aluminium profiles themselves that in the locality is dedicated to the commercialization of this input that are usually imported. Therefore, this investigation aims to analyze the impact of replacing imports with local production of aluminium profiles on the costs and overall performance of the construction industry in the province. To this end, the European Union’s eight-step impact assessment methodology was used, and a non-experimental quantitative approach was also used, since it allowed the economic effect to be assessed objectively through the application of techniques such as surveys and interviews themselves that when analyzed made it possible to sustain the hypothesis following: local production of aluminium profiles significantly reduces the costs of building a home. Keywords: Productivity; extrusion; imports; investment; economic effect.

From Matchlocks to Machine Guns: The Modernisation of the Tibetan Army’s Firearms Between Local Production and Import (1895-1950)

Between 1895 and 1950, the Tibetan government took several steps to improve the firearms and artillery of its troops, setting up local factories and negotiating with foreign powers to purchase arms manufactured abroad. These imports were directly related to the political relationship with these countries and required the introduction and diffusion of new knowledge and techniques among Tibetan troops. Based on Tibetan and English sources, this article discusses some of the challenges met by the Tibetan government in this process and gives an overview of the variety of modern firearms that the Tibetan army used in the early twentieth century.

Nutritive and Antinutritive Values of Ready-to-use Foods Based on Local Ingredients for the Recovery of Moderate Acute Malnourished Children in Cote d Ivoire

Moderate acute malnutrition is one of the most common nutritional disorders among young children in Côte d'Ivoire. For treating this condition, ready-to-use foods have been found to be the most effective. However, their high cost and the recurrent stock breaks lead to national unavailability whose local production can fill and ensure sustainable care. This study has been set to assess the nutritional and anti-nutrient value of ready-to-use foods formulated with locally available ingredients. For doing this, four formulae meeting the recommended nutritive needs for moderately acutely malnourished children aged 6 to 59 months have been produced using traditional methods and household equipment. The cocoa (LF-1 and LF-3) and cashew (LF-2 and LF-4) formulae contained rice, soy, sugar, oil, and egg. The latter has been added to FL-3 and FL-4. All formulae presented biochemical compositions (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and energy except fiber and ash) close to Plumpy’Sup®.

The Dilemmas of Water Quality and Food Security Interactions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Water is a factor input for many food system activities such as agriculture, food processing and consumption. However, food system activities also affect water resources. Moreover, the shift in focus of food security in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) from producing enough staple foods toward healthy diets stimulates local production of fresh food such as fruit, vegetables and fish even in water scarce regions. To secure local production, polluted water is used for food production, processing and consumption, which might jeopardize human health. However, scientific evidence is still scattered and fragmented. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate the empirical tested impacts of water quality on the food system activities and vice versa. Using a comprehensive framework, we sketch the inter-relationships between water quality and food systems based on a literature study. Food system activities included food production (crop production, livestock and aquaculture), food processing, and food consumption. Multiple contaminants were incorporated such as nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, pathogens, cyanotoxins, and heavy metals. Moreover, we considered different water sources such as groundwater, surface water, wastewater and coastal water. We found that food system activities contaminate water in several ways, and these differ between food system activity and type of food produced. The impact of water quality on the food system depends on the food produced, the type of contaminant and techniques of food preparation. In addition, food is contaminated in multiple ways along the food system. Irrigation with polluted water may sound familiar, but polluted water is sometimes also used in food processing (cleaning of equipment or food products), and in food preparation (at home or by street vendors). Hygiene in food consumption is crucial to prevent fecal-oral transmission. However, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) received little attention in relation to food consumption. If local production of fresh food is encouraged to improve food security, all aspects of water quality should be analyzed to avoid undesirable consequences.

Local Production and Commercialisation of Milk from Holstein Cows in the Grassfields of Cameroon: Contribution to Improving Living Conditions in Rural Areas

The role of livestock farming is no longer to be demonstrated in rural areas. Livestock provide income and facilitate access to food in rural areas. The aim of this article is to analyse the local production and marketing of milk from Holstein cows in the Grassfield (North West and West regions) of Cameroon in order to understand how much Holstein farming contributes to the rural economy. The data was collected using a questionnaire administered to 325 households producing milk from Holstein cows only. These households were selected on the basis of the existence of milk production units in the study area The data were analysed using SPSS version 20 software and Excel. Analyses of the data collected reveal that; the average milk production of cows in Grassfields varies from one lactation stage to another (7.75 liters/ day in the beginning of lactation to 17 liters / day at the end of lactation) with a daily average of 12.83 liters per day. The milk production of Holstein cows in the study areas is higher in Noun division (10 to 20 liters / day) than in Mezam division (5.5 to 14 liters per day). The profit margin generated by large producers is 230,100 CFA francs per month. On the other hand, the small producers have a profit margin of 33,800 CFA francs per month. The chi-square test of independence showed that X² = 5.756 and the probability (sig) = 1.6% which is less than 5%, which implies that the result is significant at 5%. The rotating saving groups contribute to the improvement of incomes. They therefore play a role in financing production. The evaluation of the contribution of rotating saving and credits association in improving the standard of living of households producing Holstein milk has shown that rotating saving association contribute significantly to the financing of the production of milk in production units, the education of children in breeding households. Rotating saving groups facilitate access to household food and healthcare. This economic activity of production and commercialisation of milk from Holstein cows certainly makes it possible to meet the daily needs of households, but it remains an informal activity in view of the production environment. The strong involvement of the public authorities is therefore necessary to make milk production a sector of the economy, although production and marketing activities are currently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY OF CERAMIC OIL LAMPS IN HELLENISTIC AND EARLY ROMAN NEA PAPHOS, CYPRUS: INTEGRATED TYPOLOGICAL, CHRONOLOGICAL AND PROVENANCE STUDIES

This paper presents the results of a multipronged approach to the study of the Hellenistic and Early Roman ceramic oil lamps excavated at the Agora of Nea Paphos in Cyprus. The assemblage was studied macroscopically, and selected samples were analysed through WD-XRF spectroscopy and thin section petrography, combined with refiring tests. The integrated results revealed that local production changed through time in terms of lamp shapes, manufacturing techniques and clay recipes, while imported lamps originated from a range of sources. The transformations seen in the local production correlate with changes in the origin of imported lamp supply and the impact of other centres on the local lamp manufacture. These patterns in production and supply could be most likely associated with political transformations and urban development.

Production or Consumption? Glass Beads from the Roman Villa of Aiano, Tuscany

Excavations in the Roman villa of Aiano yielded twenty glass beads, a pendant, and a glass-recycling furnace, originally interpreted as a bead workshop. This article re-assesses the evidence of bead making in light of new data obtained thanks to recent progress in archaeological glass studies. A detailed study of the typology, technology, and chemical composition of the beads clearly excludes local production. Instead, two different forming techniques, four different base glasses (Roman, HIMT, Foy 2.1 and Foy 2.1/HIMT), and numerous colouring and opacifying materials point to a well-established and extensive network of the Roman bead trade, in which Aiano evidently participated. The majority of the beads can be related to the monumentalization of the villa in the fourth to fifth century ad and represent a sample of the ornaments worn by its inhabitants.