University of Matanzas

About: University of Matanzas is a education organization based out in Matanzas, Cuba. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Thermostability & Population. The organization has 1091 authors who have published 1613 publications receiving 13302 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Matanzas "Camilo Cienfuegos".

Agroecologically efficient agricultural systems for smallholder farmers: contributions to food sovereignty

Abstract: The realization of the contribution of peasant agriculture to food security in the midst of scenarios of climate change, economic and energy crisis, led to the concepts of food sovereignty and agroecologically based production systems to gain much attention in the developing world in the last two decades. New approaches and technologies involving application of blended modern agricultural science and indigenous knowledge systems and spearheaded by thousands of farmers, NGOs, and some government and academic institutions are proving to enhance food security while conserving agrobiodiversity soil and water resources conservation throughout hundreds of rural communities in the developing world. Case studies from Cuba, Brazil, Philippines, and Africa are presented to demonstrate how the agroecological development paradigm based on the revitalization of small farms which emphasizes diversity, synergy, recycling and integration, and social processes that value community participation and empowerment, proves to be perhaps one of the only viable options to meet present and future food needs. Given the present and predicted near future climate, energy and economic scenarios, agroecology has emerged as one of the most robust pathways towards designing biodiverse, productive, and resilient agroecosystems available today.

The top 100 questions of importance to the future of global agriculture

Abstract: Despite a significant growth in food production over the past half-century, one of the most important challenges facing society today is how to feed an expected population of some nine billion by the middle of the 20th century. To meet the expected demand for food without significant increases in prices, it has been estimated that we need to produce 70-100 per cent more food, in light of the growing impacts of climate change, concerns over energy security, regional dietary shifts and the Millennium Development target of halving world poverty and hunger by 2015. The goal for the agricultural sector is no longer simply to maximize productivity, but to optimize across a far more complex landscape of production, rural development, environmental, social justice and food consumption outcomes. However, there remain significant challenges to developing national and international policies that support the wide emergence of more sustainable forms of land use and efficient agricultural production. The lack of information flow between scientists, practitioners and policy makers is known to exacerbate the difficulties, despite increased emphasis upon evidence-based policy. In this paper, we seek to improve dialogue and understanding between agricultural research and policy by identifying the 100 most important questions for global agriculture. These have been compiled using a horizon-scanning approach with leading experts and representatives of major agricultural organizations worldwide. The aim is to use sound scientific evidence to inform decision making and guide policy makers in the future direction of agricultural research priorities and policy support. If addressed, we anticipate that these questions will have a significant impact on global agricultural practices worldwide, while improving the synergy between agricultural policy, practice and research. This research forms part of the UK Government's Foresight Global Food and Farming Futures project.

Supramolecular chemistry of cyclodextrins in enzyme technology.

Abstract: Cyclodextrins (CDs) have captivated many scientists since their discovery back in 1891. The intriguing structure of these materials has attracted chemists, physicists, biologists, engineers, and many others in attempts to take advantage of the unique properties. Cyclodextrins are among the most important molecular receptors studied in supramolecular chemistry. They have raised many questions and provided answers to academic and industrial problems, and as a result of these efforts, there is now what we may call a ‘cyclodextrin science’ that involves the search for improved properties and widespread applications of these molecules. The properties and applications of CDs have been the subject of many reviews1-6 and books.7-11 The last compilation appeared in 1998 in a special issue of Chemical ReViews edited by D’Souza and Lipkowitz.12 Readers interested in this field can find information on the most relevant aspects of CDs, including application of NMR spectroscopy, computational chemistry, and X-ray crystallographysamong other techniquessfor the elucidation of the structures of CDs and their complexes. For this reason, it is not our intention to cover all of these topics but to focus on the most recent applications of CDs in the biotechnological field.