18101 research outputs found
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Wild boar and roe deer in conflict? : an analysis of interspecific interactions under different wild boar densities
Get PDFRoe deer and wild boar are both highly successful species of cervid found across much of Europe, and while similarities exist between them, to what extent do wild boar impact the daily activity pattern of roe deer at feeding sites? While a few studies explore interspecific interactions between ungulate species in Sweden, only a little research has been done on how wild boar and roe deer interact. This study aims to minimize the gap in knowledge surrounding these two species and the way they interact. I used GPS collars fitted onto wild boar and roe deer from 2012 – 2023 to study how roe deer spatially interact within their homeranges with wild boar, and to further study whether an increasing density of wild boar has altered the daily activity pattern of roe deer at supplementary feeding sites inside the Grimsö Wildlife Research Area. Roe deer were found to show avoidance towards wild boar. Furthermore, the study showed that roe deer changed their activity pattern at supplementary feeding sites by visiting closer to midday than sunset, when the density of wild boar increased in the study area. These results suggest that there is a level of interference competition occurring between these two species, but further research would be needed to fully explore this in the future
Rabbit urine as a biopesticide and biofertilizer : how does a Kenyan cultural method compare to conventional chemical pesticide and fertilizer?
Get PDFThe increased demand for food production has created higher needs for crop nutrients and protection. Although synthetic fertilizers and pesticides have increased food security and ensured yield for farmers worldwide, there are growing concerns about the environmental implications of over reliance of these fertilizers and pesticides as well as concern for pest resistance due to persistent pesticide use. This study sought to evaluate alternatives towards soil nutrition and pest control. This experiment evaluated wether or not 50% diluted rabbit urine can be used as a bio fertilizer and/or biopesticide as a sustainable and affordable alternative. The experiment used kale also known as collards, Brassica oleracea var. acephala D.C and aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) as test subjects. There was no statistical difference between pesticidal control experiments and urine sprayed experiments in number of aphids. The number of leaves and dry matter weight was statistically higher in rabbit urine treated experiments compared to negative control. We therefore conclude from this experiment that there was evidence that rabbit urine can be used as biofertilizer but not e as a pesticide aginst aphids. Given that we diluted rabbit urine in 1:1 with water, further investigations could be undertaken to evaluate higher concentrations of urine as well as combine rabbit urine with other pesticides such as neem oil.Ongezeko la mahitaji ya uzalishaji wa chakula limesababisha mahitaji ya juu ya virutubisho pamoja na ulinzi wa mazao ya mimea. Ingawa mbolea sanisi na dawa za kuuwa wadudu zimeongezea usalama wa chakula na kuhakikisha mavuno kwa wakulima duinani kote, kuna ongezeko la wasiwasi kuhusiana na athari za kimazingira za mbolea hizi na dawa hizi za kuulia wadudu pamoja na upinzani wa wadudu kutokana na uzoefu wa utumiaji uliokithiri wa dawa hizi. Jaribio ili lilitathimini kama au la, asilimia hamsini ya mkojo wa sungura uliozimuliwa unaweza kutumika kama mbolea ya kibiolojia na/ au dawa ya kuuwa wadudu kama mbadala endelevu na nafuu kwa mbolea sanisi na dawa za kuulia wadudu. Jaribio hili lilitumia mboga za kale na wadudu wa aphids kama vigezo vya majaribio. Kulikuwa na ushahidi wa wastani ambao ulionyesha kwamba mkojo wa sungura unaweza kutumika kama mbolea ya mimea lakini hakukuwa na ushahidi wowote wa kuonyesha kuwa mkojo wa sungura unaweza kutumika kama dawa dhidi ya wadudu wa aphids. Ili kchunguza zaidi athari ya mkojo wa sungura kama dawa ya wadudu, kuna haja ya kutathmini viwango tofauti vya mkusanyiko wa mkojo pamoja na kuchanganya mkojo wa sungura na dawa nyingine za kuuwa wadudu kama vile mafuta ya mwarobaini
Exploring the genetic cause of myotonic dystrophy in horses
Get PDFMyotonic Dystrophy (MD) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder that leads to a wide range of clinical signs including stiffness, abnormal muscle relaxation, and muscle atrophy or hypertrophy. Affected muscles develop a prolonged contracture in response to percussion of the muscle and show waxing and waning complex repetitive discharges in electromyography (EMG). Two genetic mutations underlie the genetic basis for MD in humans that cause abnormal RNA processing. There are a limited number of case reports of MD in horses in the veterinary literature and its genetic cause is unknown. By analysing whole genome sequencing (WGS), RNAseq, and proteomics data from horses in our MD dataset, we aim to identify the molecular mechanisms contributing to the condition. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind MD may lead to non-invasive diagnostic tests and potentially therapeutic strategies.
MD horses and seven age, sex and breed-matched controls were low pass Whole genome sequenced to approximately 4X coverage. Fst values were calculated and 6 chromosome regions on ECA 1, 3, 6, 7, 16 and 18 appeared higher than our threshold of 0.0005% and conserved across multiple window sizes. On chromosome 3 was found a candidate gene responsible for the Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy 1 in human. SNPs were investigated and one splice variant has been identified. Sequencing depth will be increased on the same horses to confirm the preliminary findings. The obtained results of this project may also provide insights into the related human MD disease, which affects an average of 1 out of 8000 individuals
The Uptake of Vertical Farming Practices : a case study on Tatton Agriculture Park in Kenya
Get PDFThis thesis provides insights into the opportunities and barriers surrounding the uptake of vertical farming practices in Kenya, specifically in the context of Tatton Agriculture Park. The findings contribute with existing knowledge on vertical farming and highlight the importance of addressing financial constraints and raising awareness to promote further uptake. The study emphasizes on the significance of entrepreneurial opportunities and value mapping in shaping the decision-making process of farmers and underscores the potential of vertical farming for sustainable agricultural practices, food security, and economic growth in Kenya. Although the FAO and EU Team could provide support for the development of new farming practices such as vertical farming, they do not explicitly target this method. Thus, making farmers the key decision-makers for its uptake in practice. To comprehend the opportunities and barriers associated with this practice, a case study was conducted in Kenya with data collected from various source. The findings of this research can inform policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in formulating strategies, policies, and interventions to support the development and uptake of vertical farming practices in Kenya and similar contexts
Living in a lifeless sea : how the ecological degradation of the Baltic Sea is affecting people living in its coastal zone on Gotland
Get PDFFacing a number of different environmental problems, such as intense oxygen depletion, overfishing and various forms of marine pollution, the Baltic Sea is one of the most degraded seas on earth. While the aspects of its ecological degradation are well-researched, only few studies have focused on how the Baltic Sea’s state is affecting the 85 million people living in its coastal zone. Hence, the purpose of this study is to counteract this research gap with a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews, that draw on a diverse group of study participants from the island of Gotland. Phenomenological paradigms have been chosen to investigate and understand how people are affected by the Baltic Sea’s degradation in their lifeworlds from different perspectives. The findings reveal that interviewees experience the Baltic Sea’s degradation in various ways in their everyday lives, with the most common ones being the increase of algae blooms and pollution, as well as the contamination of fish with toxins. How they perceive these challenges is dependent on their background and on the life sphere out of which the interviewee’s interpretation takes place. Moreover, it has been found that most study participants do not perceive themselves impacted by the sea’s degrading state, while at the same time describing several influences it has on their lifeworlds. Coping strategies that have been developed as a response to the Baltic Sea’s state support this unawareness. Those particularly rely on technological advancements and prevent people from needing to make larger changes in their lives
Knockout of transcription factor MYB28 by CRISPR/Cas9 for reducing glucosinolate content in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)
Get PDFRapeseed cake is a protein-rich by-product from the rapeseed oil extraction process. It contains high levels of glucosinolates (GSLs), which possess anti-nutritional functions after being hydrolyzed. Moreover, the hydrolyzed products of GSLs produce an extremely bitter taste. These adverse properties hinder the use of seedcake for human consumption and restrict its use in livestock feed
manufacturing. The GSLs, especially aliphatic GSLs, significantly contribute to importing adverse properties compared to aromatic and indole GSLs. Thus, this
study focused on partially down-regulating the aliphatic GSL biosynthesis by inducing targeted mutagenesis in the MYB28 transcription factor genes using CRISPR/Cas9.
Six out of seven MYB28 paralogs were identified in the cv. Kumily genome of rapeseed and two sgRNAs were designed at the transcriptional regions for both MYB-type HTH domains of MYB28. The ribonucleoprotein (RNP), in which sgRNAs and Cas9 are mixed as a complex, was introduced into the rapeseed
protoplasts. The transfected protoplasts were maintained for callus and shoot formation under in vitro conditions. For screening of mutation lines, genomic DNA was extracted from the true leaves of three regenerated shoots and seven randomly selected callus samples. The sgRNA target sites of five paralogs were amplified using gene-specific primers and screened for the presence of mutations. Screening
results showed a single nucleotide insertion in one MYB28 paralog, LOC106428039, in one callus. This confirms that at least one selected sgRNA was successful inducing mutation in MYB28 using the RNA-based CRISPR-edited method
How is triple bottom line thinking included in small-firm decision making? – A study of potato farmers in Östergötland, Sweden : hur påverkas potatisproduktionen av kvalitetskrav?
Get PDFEarlier research has shown a lack of studies on waste in agriculture production. Therefore, there is
a need for improved screening for the cause of wastage in primary production. In addition, more
research is required on how quality requirements and norms affect wastage and how waste can be
prevented. Food is lost or wasted through the supply chain; the waste appears from the primary
production to the end consumer.
The waste in the food chain creates financial losses and unnecessary environmental impacts on
how the food chain is structured today. The waste in primary production creates also negative
outcomes for producers' finances, cultivatable land, and the climate.
This thesis aims to develop an understanding of how triple bottom line thinking is included in
management decisions in small businesses. The thesis should explain why wastage occur in the
primary production at potato farmers and how the quality norms affect the primary sector of the
losses and waste. Decision-theory and Triple bottom line theories should review a potato
producer's decisions because of the quality requirement from an economic, social, and
environmental value perspective. Two farmers have been interviewed and contributed their
perspectives on the prevailing requirements by researching the quality norms in the primary
production of the potato sector. The respondents have provided perspective on how they connect
economic, social, and environmental values in their decisions.
This research has answered the research questions with the help of a qualitative research strategy.
Qualitative research enables in-depth contextual understanding and closeness to the respondents
who are involved. Therefore, in order to answer the research questions and to provide a deeper
understanding of the farmer's connection to TBL, a case study method was selected.
Food potatoes that do not meet the quality requirements get out-sorted. Where the potatoes get
out-sorted, it is up to the farmer to find alternative ways to sell the potatoes. The farmer needs
actively find new solutions and make decisions. It is from planting to when the farmer will sell the
potatoes and the timing for selling it.
From a farmer's perspective, economic value is essential. According to the farmers, they can
produce food potatoes more sustainable if they get the right profitability. It makes the economic
value in TBL the key to increasing social and environmental value toward sustainability within the
primary production. According to the farmers this means that the Triple bottom line theory is more
one bottom line in the context of potato producers. According to the farmers, with an
understanding from stakeholders, the market and an increase in economic value, the social and
environmental value would increase. In this way, the farmers could provide a more sustainable
production. The understanding is needed to see how factors affect production and, by questioning
norms, creates a development towards more sustainable food production
Samband mellan kroppsvikt och serumkreatinin hos friska privatägda hundar i Sverige
Get PDFAkuta och kroniska njursjukdomar är vanligt förekommande hos hundar. En viktig del i diagnosti�ken vid utredning av njurproblem är analysering av serumkreatinin (sCr). Koncentrationen av sCr
kan utöver sjukdom påverkas av extrarenala faktorer såsom kroppsvikt och muskelmassa.
Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka huruvida det föreligger ett samband mellan kroppsvikt
och sCr hos kliniskt friska hundar och om så är fallet undersöka om kliniskt applicerbara
kroppsviktsanpassade referensintervall för sCr kan tillämpas. I studien analyserades koncentrationen
av sCr i blodprov tagna från 309 kliniskt friska hundar och relaterades till deras kroppsvikt både för
hela studiepopulationen med en djupare analys efter indelning av hundarna i tre kroppsviktsklasser
(≤15 kg, 15-30 kg och >30 kg). Studiematerialet inkluderade prover från sju stycken tidigare utförda
studier med komplettering av blodprover tagna från hundar under 10 kg och över 34 kg under hösten
år 2022. Resultatet visade en måttlig positiv linjär association (r2=0,42; p<0,0001) mellan kroppsvikt
(kg) och sCr (µmol/L). Formeln baserad på den anpassade linjära regressionen blev sCr=1,2 x
kroppsvikt + 52,2. En signifikant skillnad mellan de tre grupperna av olika kroppsvikt (p<0,0001)
sågs också gällande sCr. Vid anpassning av referensintervall för grupperna sågs hundar under 15 kg
sällan överstiga sCr 100 µmol/L. Utöver kroppsvikt hade även kön en signifikant association med
sCr (p=0,011) i den multipla linjära regressionen, men associationen var svag. Resultatet från
studien indikerar att ett kroppsviktsanpassat referensintervall bör övervägas att införas för sCr.Acute and chronic kidney diseases are common in dogs. An important diagnostic test when
investigating kidney problems is analyzing serum creatinine (sCr). The concentration of sCr can,
aside from diseases, be affected by extrarenal factors such as body weight and muscle mass.
The purpose of this study was to investigate if there is a relationship between body weight and
sCr and if that is the case propose clinically applicable reference intervals for sCr based on body
weight. In this study sCr-concentration in samples from 309 clinically healthy dogs was analyzed
and related to the dog’s body weight both for the study population as a whole and with a further
analysis after dividing the dogs into three groups according to body weight (≤15 kg, 15-30 kg och
>30 kg) . The study population included samples from dogs from seven former studies in addition
to supplementary blood samples collected from dogs under 10 kg and over 34 kg in the fall of 2022.
The results showed a moderate positive association (r2=0,42; p<0,0001) between body weight (kg)
and sCr (µmol/L). The equation obtained from the adjusted linear regression was; sCr=1,2 x body
weight + 52,2. A significant difference between the three bodyweight groups (p<0,0001) was found
regarding the sCr-concentration. After adjusting reference intervals according to body weight, dogs
under 15 kg rarely exceeded sCr 100 µmol/L. In addition to body weight, gender also had a
significant association with sCr (p=0,011) in the multiple linear regression, but this association was
weak. The results from this study indicate that a body weight-adjusted reference interval should be
considered to be implemented for sCr
Evaluation of acclimatization and a handling program for rabbits in medical research
Get PDFKaninen används inom flera områden av medicinsk forskning och utsätts för olika ingrepp som kan inducera stress. Stress påverkar djurens välfärd negativt och kan även påverka forskningsresultat. Tidigare studier har visat att hanteringsträning både före och efter avvänjning kan reducera kaniner-nas rädsla för människor.
Examensarbetet syftade till att utvärdera effekten av ett socialiserings- och hanteringsprogram för kaniner, undersöka om en acklimatiseringstid före hanteringsträning adderar till minskad rädsla, samt redogöra för tidigare forskning inom ämnet. Sexton kaniner delades in i två grupper om åtta. En grupp hanteringstränades i en vecka med start dagen efter ankomst, den andra gruppen fick en veckas acklimatisering och hanteringstränades därefter en vecka. Approachtest genomfördes för att undersöka kaninernas rädsla för kontakt och effekten av hanteringsprogrammet med, respektive utan en veckas föregående acklimatisering utvärderades.
Resultatet visade reducerad rädsla hos kaninerna som hanteringstränats en vecka utan föregående acklimatisering, men skilde sig inte från resultatet efter en veckas acklimatisering utan träning. Ingen skillnad i rädsla för kontakt sågs heller efter hanteringsträning utan, respektive med föregående acklimatisering. Resultatet talar för att hanteringsträning kan påbörjas utan föregående acklimatise-ring, men mer forskning behövs inom området.The rabbit is used in several areas of medical research and is exposed to various procedures that can induce stress. Stress negatively affects the welfare of the animals and can also affect research results. Previous studies on the subject have shown that training to handling before and after weaning can reduce rabbits’ fear of humans.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a socialization and handling program for rabbits, to investigate whether an acclimatization period before training to handling results in additive reduction of fear, and report on previous research on the subject. Sixteen rabbits were divided in two groups of eight. One group was trained to handling for a week starting the day after arrival, and the other group did one week of acclimatization and then one week of training to handling. Approach tests were carried out to investigate the rabbits’ fear of contact and the effect of training to handling with and without previous acclimatization was evaluated.
The result showed reduced fear in rabbits that were trained to handling for a week without prior acclimatization, but it did not differ from fear in rabbits after one week’s acclimatization alone. No difference in fear was seen between rabbits after one week of training to handling with or without prior acclimatization. The result indicates that the handling program can be started without previous acclimatization, but more research is needed in the area
Growth and quality of silver birch with different improvement levels
Get PDFSilver birch is the most important broadleaf tree species in the context of wood production in Fennoscandia stating 12.9% of the total volume in Sweden (Nilsson et al., 2021). The issue is that birch wood currently available from Swedish forests is usually of low-quality classes and thereby is used mainly for pulp and fuelwood therefore its economic potential is not fully used and the willingness to invest in planting birch is low. Luckily tree breeding leads to the creation of fast-growing genotypes with higher quality. To increase interest in planting genetically improved silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) further research is needed to assess the economic profit and popularize the knowledge about benefits coming from using genetically improved material.
In this study, data from two field trials (Remningstorp and Tagel) have been used where the same 10 material groups were planted. The material groups included 22 genotypes created in the elite populations (full-sib crossings), progenies of 14 selected +Trees, 50 comparison trees selected in proximity to +Trees, and 7 reference sorts. The planting design was randomized with a 2 x 2 m spacing in each trial. The measurements and assessment conducted in the field covered diameter at breast height (DBH), stem (SQ), and branches quality (BQ). The presence of damage meaning the occurrence of spike knots, double stems, and double tops were registered. The objective of this study was to examine the differences between different planting materials and to select the best individuals for future breeding.
The results showed that genetic improvement in silver birch brought improvement in diameter growth and quality characteristics compared to comparison trees. The offspring from the greenhouse plantation Ekebo 1 exhibited the largest diameter, showing a 22% increase. Improved material from Ekebo 4 seed orchard had the highest stem and branches quality with the lowest frequency of spike knots and double tops occurrence. Furthermore, the offspring of +Trees, selected based on phenotypic traits, outperformed comparison trees in diameter (4% increase), stem quality, and branches quality. The occurrence of damages was varied as the occurrence of spike knots and double tops was higher in +Trees but double stems were less frequent in this group. There was also some variability observed in the comparison on the stand level, where the advantage of +Trees was less pronounced. Due to the fact that phenotypic differences might be affected by many factors including the site, further research is needed on this topic. Lastly, the elite populations exhibited an average of 9% better diameter growth than comparison trees. The results showed high variability within Elite populations both in diameter and occurrence of damages.
These findings highlight the positive impact of genetic improvement in silver birch, emphasizing the potential for enhancing diameter growth and quality traits through breeding programs