The Return of Civilisations

I was pleasantly surprised when visiting the new Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi,magnificently designed,and created by the great French architect Jean Nouvel to prove the creative force of the world's diverse civilisations.All of them are represented in this imaginative space on the island of Saadiyat overlooking the Persian Gulf.

The AGROVOC Concept Scheme-A Walkthrough

The Food and Agriculture Organization is developing a concept based multilingual vocabulary management tool to manage thesauri, authority lists and glossaries expressed as concept schemes ready to be used in a linked data environment. In this paper, we described the evolution of the AGROVOC thesaurus to AGROVOC Concept Scheme based on OWL （web ontology language） model and now shifting to SKOS （simple knowledge organization system） model. The paper explained why and how it evolved highlighting the key differences between different models. The system architecture and significant set of features available in the VocBench was discussed in the paper.

Poverty reduction through the development of inclusive food value chains

Propelled by urbanization,rising incomes,and changing diets,food markets have been expanding in Africa and South Asia,creating the vast potential for job and income opportunities along food supply chains and,hence,for poverty reduction.The novel coronavirus(COVID-19)that spread to a pandemic in early 2020 provokes enormous setbacks to this expansion.This,however,should provide lessons regarding the importance of resilient and inclusive food systems.Emergency responses to COVID-19 should consider interventions towards that end and leverage the opportunities provided by food markets growth as economies recover from the present economic recession.This paper assesses options of how this could be done by facilitating the better functioning and interconnectedness of the many small and medium-sized enterprises that are proliferating along the"hidden middle"of food value chains in storage,logistics,transportation,and wholesale and retail distribution.It also explores how policies can help smallholder farmers connect to this"hidden middle"in more gainful ways and help them climb out of poverty as well.

Tracking domestic ducks:A novel approach for documenting poultry market chains in the context of avian influenza transmission

Agro-ecological conditions associated with the spread and persistence of highly pathogenic avian inlfuenza （HPAI） are not well understood, but the trade of live poultry is suspected to be a major pathway. Although market chains of live bird trade have been studied through indirect means including interviews and questionnaires, direct methods have not been used to identify movements of individual poultry. To bridge the knowledge gap on quantitative movement and transportation of poultry, we introduced a novel approach for applying telemetry to document domestic duck movements from source farms at Poyang Lake, China. We deployed recently developed transmitters that record Global Positioning System （GPS） locations and send them through the Groupe Spécial Mobile （GSM） cellular telephone system. For the ifrst time, we were able to track individually marked ducks from 3 to 396 km from their origin to other farms, distribution facilities, or live bird markets. Our proof of concept test showed that the use of GPS-GSM transmitters may provide di-rect, quantitative information to document the movement of poultry and reveal their market chains. Our ifndings provide an initial indication of the complexity of source-market network connectivity and highlight the great potential for future telemetry studies in poultry network analyses.

Traditional medicine is the valuable resource for global health

The dramatic changes brought about by the Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic have prompted us to reassess the current global healthcare system.As we seek to identify solutions and formulate a vaccine,it is also an opportune time to consider resources that are already accessible,namely traditional medicine with a long history in dealing with contagious diseases.In this respect,Chinese medicine,with its millennia-old un-interrupted history of country-wide practice offers valuable tools.

Status of Highly Hazardous Pesticides and Their Mitigation Measures in Asia

Pesticide is one of the major inputs in modern agriculture and its uses are increasing annually. Pesticides are seen as inherently benign, in the same way that medicines are. Many local languages even use the same word for “pesticide” and “medicine”. Along with the increasing consumption of pesticides, Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), which are more toxic are still in widespread use in Asia and constitute a substantial challenge to human health and the environment especially in low- and middle-income countries with less resources, training and capacities to deal with them. Reducing the risks posed by HHPs has become a priority in various international chemicals management policies, and many countries have started taking action accordingly. The objective of the paper is to establish the national status of the use of HHPs in Asia in line with FAO/WHO criteria for HHPs and encourage deliberate consideration of mitigation options for effective management of HHPs. This report is based on the nationally registered pesticide active ingredients and other related information obtained from Pesticide Registration Authorities of 13 Asian countries and research reports of different national and international journals. There are currently about 3557 pesticide products (active ingredients) registered in 13 Asian countries to control pests on crops and for public health uses, and 214 HHPs among the list of registered pesticides still in use in these Asian countries. An analysis of the list of registered formulated products revealed that 61 different active ingredients are included in these 214 registered HHPs in Asian countries. Considering the global concern of HHPs, there is thus every reason to develop mass awareness raising programmes based on knowledge, aptitude and practices and to disseminate them within the community in order to inform about the risks of HHPs and to replace HHPs and mitigate human risk and exposure to HHPs. It is concluded that detailed surveys and studies should be formulated with help of experts from academia and research organizations to construct a baseline data which may be helpful to tone down the HHP situation in the country.

Total Carbon Stock and Potential Carbon Sequestration Economic Value of Mukogodo Forest-Landscape Ecosystem in Drylands of Northern Kenya

Carbon sequestration is one of the important ecosystem services provided by forested landscapes. Dry forests have high potential for carbon storage. However, their potential to store and sequester carbon is poorly understood in Kenya. Moreover, past attempts to estimate carbon stock have ignored drylands ecosystem heterogeneity. This study assessed the potential of Mukogodo dryland forest-landscape in offsetting carbon dioxide through carbon sequestration and storage. Four carbon pools (above and below ground biomass, soil, dead wood and litter) were analyzed. A total of 51 (400 m2) sample plots were established using stratified-random sampling technique to estimate biomass across six vegetation classes in three landscape types (forest reserve, ranches and conservancies) using nested-plot design. Above ground biomass was determined using generalized multispecies model with diameter at breast height, height and wood density as variables. Below ground, soil, litter and dead wood biomass;carbon stocks and carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) were estimated using secondary information. The CO2eq was multiplied by current prices of carbon trade to compute carbon sequestration value. Mean ± SE of biomass and carbon was determined across vegetation and landscape types and mean differences tested by one-way Analysis of Variance. Mean biomass and carbon was about 79.15 ± 40.22 TB ha-1 and 37.25 ± 18.89 TC ha-1 respectively. Cumulative carbon stock was estimated at 682.08 TC ha-1;forest reserve (251.57 TC ha-1) had significantly high levels of carbon stocks compared to ranches (209.78 TC ha-1) and conservancies (220.73 TC ha-1, P = 0.000). Further, closed forest significantly contributed to the overall biomass and carbon stock (58%). The carbon sequestration potential was about 19.9MTCO2eq with most conservative worth of KES 39.9B (US$40M) per annum. The high carbon stock in the landscape shows the potential of dryland ecosystems as carbon sink for climate change mitigation. However, for communities to benefit from bio-carbon funds in future, sustainable landscape management and restorative measures should be practiced to enhance carbon storage and provision of other ecosystem services.

Design and Implementation of the ZH/EN Bilingual Retrieval System Based on the CAT/AGROVOC Mapping

For the users＇ convenience of accessing the AGRIS resources quickly and using them fully, the paper decomposes the structure of AGRIS Search net, analyzes the users＇ requirement met for conducting a bilingual （ZH/EN） retrieval, the system function extensions based on AGRIS English retrieval system and the key issues which the core function module should resolve. Derived by the application requirement, the paper also puts forward to a bilingual retrieval model on the basis of CAT/AGROVOC mapping, designs and realizes the ZH/EN bilingual retrieval prototype system.

Purchasing Patterns and Consumer Level Waste of Fruits and Vegetables in Urban and Peri-Urban Centers in the Philippines

Fruits and vegetables are inherently perishable hence they are considered as one of the most wasted categories of food. While several studies have been conducted to assess consumer level waste of fruits and vegetables, few have been conducted in developing countries like the Philippines. A survey, using a pre-tested questionnaire, and involving 500 respondents, was conducted in selected urban and peri-urban areas in the Philippines, to ascertain consumer level fruit and vegetable waste. The quantities of fruits and vegetables wasted by supermarket shoppers and those who purchased fruits in wet markets were comparably low at 3% - 4%. This low level of consumer fruit and vegetable waste was attributed to the small quantities (250 to 500 grams per purchase) purchased by consumers in both categories of markets. Consumer level fruit and vegetable waste, showed a positive correlation to household size. The level of fruit waste was positively related to household income, and negatively related to shopper’s age. Consumers who shopped in supermarkets, purchased larger quantities of fruit when compared to those who shopped in wet markets. Wet market shoppers on the other hand, purchased large quantities of vegetables. Decay, and quality loss manifested by shriveling, wilting, toughening, browning and softening were the main characteristics of fruits and vegetables discarded by consumers. The underlying causes of this waste, cited by respondents included “forgot to eat”, “poor quality”, “forgot to cook” and “overbuying”. Consumer efforts to minimize waste include buying enough for consumption, consuming or using immediately after purchase, planning their menus, improving storage and purchasing produce that is of good quality.

Moving beyond the opposition of diverse knowledge systems for food security and nutrition

Food Security and Nutrition(FSN) is influenced by diverse and complex factors, and therefore requires a holistic approach to agriculture and food systems plus integration of knowledge from diverse sources in science and society. Using the results of a colloquium held at the University of Hohenheim(Germany) in September 2016 leading up to the recent High Level Panel of Experts(HLPE) Note on Critical and Emerging Issues for Food Security and Nutrition, this article underlines the role of research and innovation as a social and political process and draws attention to neglected types of knowledge. It illustrates the potential of knowledge co-production and co-innovation to transform food systems in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Capacities and Functionalities Assessment of Veterinary Laboratories in South-west Nigeria Using the FAO Laboratory Mapping Tool

Laboratories play significant roles in all the critical processes of detecting rapid infectious disease outbreaks,risk assessments,early warnings,early responses and notifications,and monitoring and surveillance[1,2].Veterinary Laboratories(VLs)that rapidly identify,respond to and control rapidly spreading and emerging(or re-emerging)infectious and zoonotic diseases is critical to:(1)the financial performance of animal agriculture and international trade;(2)livelihoods of animal related industries;and(3)nutritional status,food security,and the socio-economic well-being of a country[3].

A Comparison of National Immunization Programme Target Population Estimates with Data from an Independent Source and Differences in Computed Coverage Levels for the Third Dose of DTP Containing Vaccine

Background: Comparison of target populations for immunization used by national immunization programmes with independent sources can be useful for identifying irregular patterns. Similarly, understanding differences in computed coverage levels that result from changes in target population estimates can be important. Methods: Using data reported annually by national immunization programmes to WHO and UNICEF, we compared the national number of births and surviving infants with estimates reported by the United Nations Population Division (UNPD). We also re-computed and compared coverage levels for the third dose of DTP containing vaccine (DTP3) using the nationally reported number of children vaccinated with DTP3 (the numerator) and the nationally reported number of children in the target population (the denominator) and compared this value with DTP3 coverage computed using the nationally reported number of children vaccinated and the UNPD estimate of the national number of surviving infants as an independent denominator. Results: We observed differences in the number of births and surviving infants reported by national immunization programmes compared with those estimated by the UNPD. Year-to-year changes in the number of births and surviving infants reported by national immunization programmes often exceeded those estimated by the UNPD. The re-computed administrative coverage levels for DTP3 using a nationally reported target population tended to be higher on average than those re-computed using the UNPD target population estimates. Conclusion: Target population estimates are a challenge for immunization programmes, and comparison to independent sources can be useful. There is increasing need to trace and better understand the processes and conditions affecting the enumeration and recording of the number of children in the target population for immunization services and the number of children vaccinated while recognizing that the challenge to do so is greater in some locations than others.

Managing the Global Water Crisis: As China Goes, So Goes the World

WHENEVER high-level conversations turn to national or regional strategies for managing water-related climate impacts,many are compelled to look again and again to China as a model for imagining and then creating a sustainable future for all of humanity.Why?Because as China goes,so goes the world.

Will or Won’t the RMB-Greenb Rate Dip Below 6?

THE Renminbi entered 2013 with gusto, the spot Yuan/US$ rate hitting 6.2216-strongest since China’s 2005 exchange reform and also a 19-year high. This market hotspot might presage a rate lower than the RMB 6 benchmark.The exchange rate reflects the exter-

Human Rights Council Organized the seminar on “The Contribution of Development to the Enjoyment of All Human Rights”

On May 28,the UN Human Rights Council seminar on"The Contribution of Development to the Enjoyment of All Human Rights"was held online in Geneva,Switzerland.Around 200 government officials,experts,scholars,representatives of IOs and NGOs attended.Ambassador Chen Xu,Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland。

Human Rights and Cultural Diversity: Evolving Dynamics of Universality and Relativism——Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being～Khalil Gibran

1. Introduction Culture is a defining feature of an individual＇s identity. It embraces everything from the traditions, beliefs and values of an individual＇s family and community. It is also the language one speaks, and place of worship. Culture is all of these elements and the way they connect to make up one＇s way of life. It is often the source for serf-definition, expression, and sense of group belonging.

金沙江下游近40年来土壤侵蚀变化——以云南彝良为例

云南金沙江流域是我国水土流失最为严重的区域之一,尤其以金沙江下游区最为突出。为揭示该区域土壤侵蚀动态变化的基本规律,为今后水土保持和土地资源可持续利用提供依据,选择该区域较为典型的彝良县作为研究实例,采用航片判读、实地调查、GIS等方法编制了196 0、1980和2 0 0 0年土壤侵蚀图,据此分析该县196 0～2 0 0 0年的土壤侵蚀变化特点,并应用马尔柯夫模型预测在当前土地利用方式下土壤侵蚀动态变化趋势。

基于水土流失防治的云南金沙江流域土地利用生态安全格局初探

在水土流失严重的云南金沙江流域,建立基于水土流失防治的土地利用生态安全格局是保住人民生命线的根本举措。水土流失山区土地利用生态安全格局的构建应以允许土壤流失量(即T值)为基础,一方面确保各地块的土壤流失降至最低,以保持地块的生态安全和可持续利用,另一方面使区域性的水土流失问题从根本上得到有效控制,促进区域性土地利用生态系统的安全性和可持续性,并极大地减轻中下游的泥沙淤积和洪水灾害。另外,还应因地制宜地推行多样化土地利用、发展多功能农业,建立斑块镶嵌性与生态多样性的土地利用空间格局。总体而言,云南金沙江流域土地利用生态安全格局设计应突出三大重点:(1)以坡地梯田梯地化、建立梯田梯地农业与地埂经济为重点的耕地与园地利用与治理;(2)以乔灌草结合、多层配置为重点的林地和陡坡退耕地的利用与改造;(3)着力于地面绿化(而非"空中绿化")的荒山荒地开发利用。

基于Sentinel-1A影像和一维CNN的中国南方生长季早期作物种类识别

作物的早期识别对粮食安全至关重要。在以往的研究中,中国南方作物早期识别面临的主要挑战包括:1)云层覆盖时间长、地块尺寸小且作物类型丰富;2)缺少高时空分辨率合成孔径雷达(synthetic aperture radar,SAR)数据。欧洲航天局Sentinel-1A(S1A)卫星提供的SAR图像具有12 d的重访周期,空间分辨率达10 m,为中国南方作物早期识别提供了新的机遇。为在作物早期识别中充分利用S1A影像的时间特征,本研究提出一维卷积神经网络(one-dimensional convolutional neural network,1D CNN)的增量训练方法:首先利用生长季内全时间序列数据来训练1D CNN的超参数,称为分类器;然后从生长季内第一次S1A影像获取开始,在每个数据获取时间点输入该点之前(包括该点)生长季内所有数据训练分类器在该点的其他参数。以中国湛江地区2017年生长季为研究实例,分别基于VV、VH和VH+VV,评估不同极化数据在该地区的作物分类效果。为验证该方法的有效性,本研究同时应用经典的随机森林(random forest,RF)模型对研究区进行试验。结果表明:1)基于VH+VV、VH和VV极化数据的分类精度依次降低,其中,基于VH+VV后向散射系数时间序列1D CNN和RF测试结果的Kappa系数最大值分别为0.924和0.916,说明S1A时间序列数据在该地区作物分类任务中有效;2)在研究区域内2017年生长季早期,基于1D CNN和RF的5种作物的F-measure均达到0.85及以上,说明本文所构建的1D CNN在该地区主要作物早期分类任务中有效。研究结果证明,针对中国南方作物早期分类,本研究提出的1D CNN训练方案可行。研究结果可为深度学习在作物早期分类任务中的应用提供参考。