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Facing Mecca from Africa: Islam and globalization on the Swahili Coast during the First Millennium CE and Beyond.
No full textPredicting Potential Distribution of Orchis Galilaea in Lebanon Using GIS
No full textOrchis galilaea is the only Lebanese orchid that is restricted geographically to Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan. It is a terrestrial orchid that attracts its pollinator by sexual deception while offering no reward. The full distribution of this orchid in Lebanon has not been determined. This study is part of ongoing research into the population dynamics of the orchid to form a management plan for its conservation. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to identify the habitat characteristics of O. galilaea and map its distribution in Lebanon by combining known locations with digital layers of environmental variables, including topography, land cover, soil type, geology and precipitation. Classes within each environmental parameter were defined and weighted according to their frequency of occurrence at extant sites. A predictive GIS model was developed by overlaying the five layers of the habitat characteristics. The predicted distribution map of O. galilaea was then validated by confirming presence of the orchid in the predicted locations and absence in the unsuitable areas through exploration field trips. Eighty five locations were surveyed and seven previously unknown populations of O. galilaea were discovered. These new O. galilaea locations were all correctly predicted by the model as potential habitat. The accuracy of the model was confirmed as it was significantly more likely to find the orchid in predicted suitable habitat compared with unsuitable habitat. Combining ecological habitat characteristics using GIS proved to be a useful tool to successfully predict the potential distribution of O. galilaea in Lebanon and will assist in planning its conservation measures
Establishing a yard specific normal rectal temperature reference range for horses
Get PDFPreviously published equine temperature ranges often fail to state the population of animals or the
method of temperature measurement used to establish the range. An inappropriate reference range can
negatively affect the interpretation of measurements, resulting in animals being misdiagnosed. A yard
specific equine rectal temperature reference range was therefore calculated. 652 rectal temperatures
were collected from a population of 41 healthy adult horses, including a range of breeds aged 2-23
years old. Rectal temperature was measured at a depth of 5cm, using lubricated digital predictive
thermometers. The normal rectal temperature range of horses on this yard was 36.0 – 38.0°C (90%
confidence interval [CI] = 35.97–36.03°C at the lower limit, CI = 37.97–38.03°C at the upper
limit). A Mann Whitney test showed significant difference between geldings and mares (Z = -
1.389, p = 0.165). Spearman’s correlation showed no significant correlations between rectal
temperature and ambient temperature (Rs = 0.137, p = 0.052), or rectal temperature and horse
height (Rs = -0.047, p = 0.791). The upper limit of the range is lower than most previously
suggested temperature ranges, which may reflect the low stress environment in which
temperatures were measured; horses were housed in a familiar environment and examined
and handled by familiar equine technicians. The findings of this study suggest that
establishing yard specific normal temperature ranges could improve early detection of fever,
and support biosecurity protocols in the face of infectious disease outbreaks. Additionally, the
results suggest that existing equine temperature ranges may need reviewin
The effect of a concentrate based diet (CD) or a total mixed fibre ration (TMFR) on growth rates in Thoroughbred foals
No full textEarly agriculture in Sri Lanka: New Archaeobotanical analyses and radiocarbon dates from the early historic sites of Kirinda and Kantharodai (Kandarodai)
No full textArchaeobotanical evidence from two Early Historic sites in Sri Lanka, Kantharodai and Kirinda, is reported, providing significant evidence for agricultural diversity beyond the cultivation of rice. These data highlight the potential of systematic archaeobotanical sampling for macro-remains in tropical environments to contribute to the understanding of subsistence history in the tropics. Direct AMS radiocarbon dating confirms both the antiquity of crops and refines site chronologies. Both sites have Oryza sativa subsp. indica rice and evidence of rice crop-processing and millet farming. In addition, phytolith data provide complementary evidence on the nature of early rice cultivation in Sri Lanka. Both Kantharodai and Kirinda possess rice agriculture and a diverse range of cultivated millets (Brachiaria ramosa, Echinochloa frumentacea, Panicum sumatrense, and Setaria verticillata). Pulses of Indian origin were also cultivated, especially Vigna radiata and Macrotyloma uniflorum. Cotton (Gossypium sp.) cultivation is evident from Kirinda. Both sites, but in particular Kirinda, provide evidence for use of the seeds of Alpinia sp., in the cardamom/ginger family (Zingiberaceae), a plausible wild spice, while coconuts (Cocos nucifera) were also found at Kirinda
(No) time to cook: promoting mealkits to the time-poor consumer
No full textThis case study considers how the promotional messages adopted by meal-kit providers draw the time-poor consumer into a consumption relationship based on time-saving promises which imply tacit new “rules” for food planning, shopping, and cooking that may have detrimental consequences for the food consumer. These promotional messages are considered from a critical perspective which considers their influence on food choice, where ease of access to food, education, cooking skills, and time constraints are important factors and which highlights existing concerns that “the consumption of convenience meals discourages cooking from scratch, facilitating a society of individuals lacking in food preparation skills”
Causal and functional interpretation of mu- and delta-opioid receptor profiles in mesoaccumbens and nigrostriatal pathways of an oral stereotypy phenotype
Get PDFSpontaneous stereotypic behaviours are repetitive, compulsive, topographically invariant response patterns commonly observed in captive or domestic animals, which have been linked to dysfunction of basal ganglia input/output pathways. There is evidence that endogenous opioids play a key regulatory role in basal ganglia direct and indirect pathways, but their precise role, both causally and functionally, in spontaneous stereotypic behaviour is unclear. Here we examined the profile of mu- and delta-opioid receptors (density [Bmax] and affinity [Kd]) of basal ganglia structures in stereotypy (n = 10) and non-stereotypy (n = 10) animals using a competitive ligand binding approach. Mu receptor densities were significantly higher in the nucleus accumbens (p 0.15). Receptor binding affinity was only found to be significantly different between control and stereotypy animals for mu receptors on the caudate region; (p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that increased inhibition (via mu-opioid receptors) of the indirect (dorsal striatopallidal) pathways are associated with spontaneous stereotypy development. Data also suggested that different types of spontaneous stereotypies (e.g. oral versus locomotor) within or a cross species may have a different neurological basis. This may have important implications for understanding the aetiology and function of these behaviours. In some instances (oral stereotypy), the behaviour may be associated with allostasis, a process that could enhance the reward value of appetitive behaviour performance (as a starting point of stereotypy development)
How did you get up and running? Taking a Bourdieuan perspective towards a framework for negotiating strategic fit.
Get PDFThis article suggests a theoretical framework for illustrating significant
iterative processes that need to be strategically managed when
entering a new field or changing a social position within a field.
Applying a process-relational perspective, the framework theoretically
underpins what propels individuals to change their behaviour
conceptualized as constructing a strategic fit between personal
structure and fields. Using Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, field and
capitals as a lens the analysis reveals how capital transformations
eventually can lead to a social construction of this temporary strategic
fit. The article argues that the performance of habitus expresses
temporary field specific social positioning as a social materialization
of macrostructures (gender, age, class, etc.). This suggested framework
is applied to conceptualizing how nascent entrepreneurs successfully
negotiate entrepreneurial processes. It is concerned with a small
aspect: how to physically start a business (its registration and the start
of trading). In this context, the article unpacks how the transformation
of capitals mediates nascent entrepreneurs’ social positioning. This
article contributes to the growing ‘social turn’ research situating
entrepreneurial processes within social relations and context and
the emerging Entrepreneurship as Practice field. It offers practical
implications for business support and research directions