Search

The novel COVID-19 disease has affected people in more than 180 countries, accounting for more than 1 million deaths globally to date. This study intends to explore a rapid spatial and temporal assessment of the COVID-19 disease in South America. Data were gathered from the World Health Organization and analyzed using spatial mapping and statistical software. Models were developed based on the established linear relationship between attributable COVID-19-related deaths and confirmed cases. The study adopted both discrete and continuous panel regression models and spatial lag models for the analysis. Statistical analysis validated the linear relationships noticed in COVID-19 modeling. South America saw a rapid rise in cases and deaths within a relatively short period particularly affecting the countries with larger populations. Spatial models showed a positive relationship between population density and confirmed cases and a negative relationship between per capita gross domestic product and attributable deaths. Confirmed cases are likely to spread with more populated countries but, interestingly, increasing wealth can possibly lead to a fall in deaths for South America. This suggests the country's capacity to invest in the resources necessary to combat the pandemic and shows insight into the potential situation of less developed countries as the pandemic continues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken in Trinidad and Tobago as part of the project, 'Enhanced Preservation of Fruits using Nanotechnology', which focussed on pre- and post-harvest treatments for delayed ripening and post-harvest extension of shelf life of fruits. The purpose was to gauge the type of impact the project outcomes was likely to have on post-production operations for mango and papaya through increased availability of fruit for processing and the potential effect on gender participation in Trinidad and Tobago. Convenience sampling was used to collect data from six countries in Trinidad and Tobago. Retail outlets located along major roadways in Central and South Trinidad were surveyed. Additionally, phone surveys of processors (well-established processing plants and cottage industries) located in Tobago and in East, Central and South Trinidad were conducted. A structured questionnaire was administered to respondents at mini-marts, supermarkets and roadside parlours. Frequency counts and percentages were used to analyse the data collected. Four main activities were identified - i) the production of preserves in well-established processing plants and cottage industries, ii) the production of preserves in small-scale home units, iii) the distribution and sale of products from the processing plants and cottage industries, and iv) sale of products from home processing. Findings revealed that, in all cases, the production of preserves and other processed products from mango and/or papaya occurred alongside the production of preserves and snacks from other commodities, and that production was always linked to availability of the raw material for processing. In all cases encountered in the survey, preserved products from mango and papaya were made from unripe fruit. The major source of preserved fruit sold in retail outlets was well-established processing plants and cottage industries located across the island with smaller quantities coming from home processing. Retail outlet operators indicated that preserves were delivered to them via middlemen so that negotiations for sale occurred between the operator of the retail outlet and middlemen, with no input from processors. Most of the surveyed processing plants and cottage industries (71%) were owned and/or managed by men. Men were also predominant as middlemen in the collection and transport of preserves to retail outlets. Women were more likely to be the sole operators in retail outlets, particularly in roadside parlours (83%) and mini-marts (64%). The study also found that of the respondents interviewed, those engaged in home processing of mango and other fruits were all female, selling the preserved snacks in their own or family-owned roadside parlours. Given the survey results, it was concluded that the potential for increased utilization of mango and papaya fruit in preserved forms would be greatly enhanced by the project outcomes that resulted in increased availability of fruit in the unripe state. Further, this was likely to affect females more than males, since mostly females were sole operators in retail outlets, and were engaged in relevant post-production processing activities at the household level as well as in the sale of preserved products for increased household income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, limequat (Citrofortunella floridana J.W.Ingram & H.E.Moore) fruits have a relatively short shelf life at supermarket display temperatures (17-22oC). In some cases, shelf life can be as short as four days, after which surface discolouration becomes evident, along with shrivelling, and in many instances, the development of post-harvest diseases. Therefore, for maintenance of marketable quality, these three factors must be controlled. Pre-harvest treatments are known to positively affect the post-harvest quality of many commodities. Among these, treatment with hexanal has resulted in improved post-harvest quality maintenance because of its retarding effect on enzyme-driven cellular degradation. This study was conducted to observe the effect of pre-harvest treatments with hexanal on the length of the shelf life and the postharvest quality of limequat fruits. Pre-harvest spray applications of 2% and 4% EFF (Enhanced Freshness Formulation), containing hexanal as the active ingredient, were made at weekly and biweekly intervals 30-days before the expected date of harvest. Pre-harvest spray treatments of EFF at 2% and 4% to trees of limequat resulted in the delay in the rate of colour change from green to yellow by an average of 7 days and 14 days, respectively, in harvested mature fruit. Senescent changes and other signs of deterioration including surface discolouration as brown patches, appeared on the fruit only after full colour change from green to yellow had occurred. Pre-harvest treatment also resulted in a reduction in the incidence of post-harvest diseases by up to 21 days during storage at 17-19oC / 90-95% RH. Thus, pre-harvest spray application had a marked effect on appearance by delaying both yellowing and shrivelling of the fruit, and consequently on marketability since appearance is one of the main factors determining acceptability in the marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]