Crop diversity in homegardens of southwest Uganda and its importance for rural livelihoods     

Cory W. Whitney  Eike Luedeling  John R. S. Tabuti  Antonia Nyamukuru  Oliver Hensel  Jens Gebauer  Katja Kehlenbeck 《Agriculture and Human Values》2018,35(2):399-424

Homegardens are traditional food systems that have been adapted over generations to fit local cultural and ecological conditions. They provide a year-round diversity of nutritious foods for smallholder farming communities in many regions of the tropics and subtropics. In southwestern Uganda, homegardens are the primary source of food, providing a diverse diet for rural marginalized poor. However, national agricultural development plans as well as economic and social pressures threaten the functioning of these homegardens. The implications of these threats are difficult to evaluate, because the structure and functions of the homegardens are not well understood. The aim of the study was to identify patterns and influencing factors in the diversity of homegardens by documenting the floristic diversity and its interactions with spatial, environmental and socio-economic factors. A geographically and socially focused assessment of floristic diversity in 102 randomly selected homegardens in three districts of southwest Uganda was conducted along a deforestation gradient following a human ecology conceptual framework and testing multiple quantitative hypotheses regarding the above mentioned factors. A merged mixed-method approach was followed to provide context and feedback regarding quantitative findings. Results show a high total richness of 209 (mean 26.8 per homegarden) crop species (excluding weeds and ornamentals) dominated by food species, which constituted 96 percent of individuals and 44 percent of all species. Forest-edge homegardens maintained higher plant diversity compared to homegardens in deforested areas and near degraded wetlands. Multiple linear regression models indicated elevation, location, homegarden size, distance to market, additional land ownership (outside the homegarden) and livestock ownership as significant predictors of crop diversity. Cluster analysis of species densities revealed four garden types: ‘diverse tree gardens’, ‘small forest-edge gardens’, ‘large, old, species-rich gardens’, and ‘large, annual-dominated herb gardens’, with 98% correct classification. Location, elevation, and garden size were also important determinants in the cluster assignment. We conclude that the diversity of the studied homegardens may be changing as part of adaptive traditional practices and in response to external drivers. The identified patterns illustrate the importance of homegardens for rural livelihoods and may offer some ways to support farmers to maintain these systems as relevant mechanisms for development in Uganda.  相似文献   

Long‐term population patterns of rodents and associated damage in German forestry          下载免费PDF全文

Christian Imholt  Daniela Reil  Pavel Plašil  Kerstin Rödiger  Jens Jacob 《Pest management science》2017,73(2):332-340

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Nonregenerative immune‐mediated anemia associated with a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in a captive jaguar (Panthera onca)          下载免费PDF全文

Monika A. Keresztes  Manfred Henrich  Penelope Baloi  Sascha Gerst  Jens‐Christian Rudnick  Judith Langenstein  Andreas Moritz  Natali Bauer 《Veterinary clinical pathology / American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology》2017,46(4):597-604

An 18‐year‐old male castrated jaguar (Panthera onca) was presented with anorexia and continuous bleeding from the oral cavity after a history of fighting with the partner animal. Clinical evaluation revealed ulcerating lesions on the gingiva and hard palate and a hematoma on the tongue. Computed tomography of the head and endoscopic examination of the esophagus and stomach were unremarkable. Hematology and clinical chemistry revealed severe nonregenerative anemia, mild thrombocytopenia, and moderate azotemia. Several PCRs for feline hemotropic mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma haemofelis, M heamominutium, M turicensis), Babesia felis, and Bartonella spp., as well as an FeLV antigen test were negative. The cytologic examination of a bone marrow aspirate was consistent with ineffective erythropoiesis, most likely due to immune‐mediated destruction of the erythroid precursor cells. Prednisolone therapy was initiated (1.25 mg/kg/day), and the CBC returned to normal 16 days after the initiation of the therapy. Anemia relapsed after 4 months and severe splenomegaly was noted. A repeat bone marrow aspirate revealed active erythropoiesis in the presence of erythroid precursor phagocytosis suggesting an immune‐mediated process. Splenic fine‐needle aspiration and tissue biopsies were taken, and all findings including histology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Five days later, the clinical condition deteriorated and the jaguar died. Histopathology following necropsy showed infiltration with neoplastic lymphoblasts in the spleen, liver, and abdominal lymph nodes. This case report describes a nonregenerative immune‐mediated anemia associated with a DLBCL in a jaguar.  相似文献   

Influence of kidney function on urinary excretion of albumin and retinol-binding protein in dogs with naturally occurring renal disease     

Raila J  Brunnberg L  Schweigert FJ  Kohn B 《American journal of veterinary research》2010,71(11):1387-1394

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Feasibility of using rare earth elements (REEs) to mark and identify escaped farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.          下载免费PDF全文

Marta Pérez de Nanclares  Jens‐Erik Dessen  Kjell‐Arne Rørvik  Yngvar Thomassen  Magny S Thomassen 《Aquaculture Research》2016,47(6):1885-1898

A series of rare earth elements (REEs) were evaluated as potential markers in scales of Atlantic salmon 1⁺ and 0⁺ smolt by addition of these elements to the feed. Chlorides of 5 REEs were tested, alone or in combination: lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy). The labelled‐diets contained 125 or 250 mg REE kg^?1 feed and were administered for up to 10 weeks. Fish scales were collected and analysed by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) before start, 5 and 10 weeks after labelling started and finally 2 or 4 months after marking. The results demonstrated that the five tested elements were clearly incorporated into the scales of the fish fed the supplemented diets. Uptake and concentrations increased gradually during the feeding period, and no principal differences were found between the two smolt types. Combining 2 REEs in the same feed did not affect the incorporation of either of them. After a ‘dilution’‐period of 2–4 months the concentrations of all markers (except La) in the scales of the treated‐fish were still significantly higher than those of the untreated‐fish. The background concentrations of the tested markers and some other elements were also measured and found to give interesting information.  相似文献   

Associations between physical activity and characteristics of urban green space     

Jasper Schipperijn  Peter Bentsen  Jens Troelsen  Mette Toftager  Ulrika K. Stigsdotter 《Urban Forestry & Urban Greening》2013,12(1):109-116

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Impact of short-term intake of red wine and grape polyphenol extract on the human metabolome     

Jacobs DM  Fuhrmann JC  van Dorsten FA  Rein D  Peters S  van Velzen EJ  Hollebrands B  Draijer R  van Duynhoven J  Garczarek U 《Journal of agricultural and food chemistry》2012,60(12):3078-3085

Red wine and grape polyphenols are considered to promote cardiovascular health and are involved in multiple biological functions. Their overall impact on the human metabolome is not known. Therefore, exogenous and endogenous metabolic effects were determined in fasting plasma and 24 h urine from healthy male adults consuming a mix of red wine and grape juice extracts (WGM) for 4 days in a placebo-controlled, crossover study. Syringic acid, 3-hydroxyhippuric acid, pyrogallol, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid were confirmed as the strongest urinary markers of WGM intake. Overall, WGM had a mild impact on the endogenous metabolism. Most noticeable were changes in several amino acids deriving from tyrosine and tryptophan. Reductions in the microbial metabolites p-cresol sulfate and 3-indoxylsulfuric acid and increases in indole-3-lactic acid and nicotinic acid were observed in urine. In plasma, tyrosine was reduced. The results suggest that short-term intake of WGM altered microbial protein fermentation and/or amino acid metabolism.  相似文献   

Evaluation of a microwave method for dry matter determination in faecal samples from weaned pigs with or without clinical diarrhoea     

Pedersen KS  Stege H  Nielsen JP 《Preventive veterinary medicine》2011,100(3-4):163-170

Microwave drying as a procedure for determination of faecal dry matter in weaned pigs was evaluated and clinical relevant cut-off values between faecal consistency scores were determined. Repeatability and reproducibility were evaluated. Overall coefficient of variation was 0.03. The 95% confidence limits for any future faecal subsample examined by any operator in any replica were ± 0.85% faecal dry matter. Robustness in relation to weight of wet faeces was evaluated. The weight categories were 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 g. Samples of 0.5 g gave significantly different mean faecal dry matter content compared to weighing of 1.0-3.0 g. Agreement with freeze-drying was evaluated. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was 0.94. On average the faecal dry matter values was 1.7% (SD=1.99%) higher in freeze dried compared to micro waved samples. Non-parametric ROC analyses were used to determine optimal faecal dry matter cut-off values for clinical faecal consistency scores. The 4 consistency scores were score 1=firm and shaped, score 2=soft and shaped, score 3=loose and score 4=watery. The cut-off values were score 1: faecal dry matter content >19.5%, score 2: faecal dry matter content ≤ 19.5% and >18.0%, score 3: faecal dry matter content ≤ 18.0% and >11.3%, score 4: faecal dry matter content ≤ 11.3%. In conclusion, the microwave procedure has an acceptable repeatability/reproducibility and good agreement with freeze drying can be expected. A minimum of 1.0 g of wet faeces must be used for analyses. Faecal dry matter cut-off values between 4 different clinical consistency scores were determined.  相似文献   

Optimisation of amino sugar quantification by HPLC in soil and plant hydrolysates     

Caroline Indorf  Jens Dyckmans  Khalid S. Khan  Rainer Georg Joergensen 《Biology and Fertility of Soils》2011,47(4):387-396

Amino sugars are increasingly used as indicators for the accumulation of microbial residues in soil and plant material. A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was improved for the simultaneous determination of muramic acid, mannosamine, glucosamine and galactosamine in soil and plant hydrolysates via ortho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) pre-column derivatisation and fluorescence detection. The retention time was reduced, and the separation of muramic acid and mannosamine was optimised by modifying the mobile phase. The effects of excitation wavelength, OPA reaction time, tetrahydrofuran concentration and pH value of the mobile phase on the amino sugar separation were tested. Quantification limits were in the range of 0.13 to 0.90 μg ml⁻¹. No interferences exist from amino acids or other primary amines, occurring in soil and plant hydrolysates.  相似文献   

Effects of cuvette surface material on ammonia‐, nitrous oxide‐, carbon dioxide‐, and methane‐concentration measurements     

Martina Predotova  Roland Kretschmann  Jens Gebauer  Andreas Buerkert 《植物养料与土壤学杂志》2011,174(3):347-349

Closed‐chamber systems are commonly used to determine gaseous C and N emissions from agricultural soils. We investigated the effects of eight cuvette surfaces on two standard gas concentrations of NH₃, N₂O, CO₂, and CH₄ under laboratory conditions. Cuvette surface materials differentially affected gas adhesion or recovery as a function of the type and the concentration of the gases. Given the strong effects on results of gas measurements in closed‐chamber systems, both the type and the concentration of the measured gases need to be considered in selecting cuvette surface materials.  相似文献