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Storage of poultry manure in containers
Get PDFHigh nutrient content of chicken litter has made it one of the best organic fertilizers for agricultural land. However, reusing poultry litter in agriculture can be associated with food-borne pathogens such as E.coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. To inactivate pathogens and minimize the environmental risks, manure could be treated before spreading on the field. Composting is an effective method to reduce pathogenic bacteria counts. Stacking the manure in containers is a minimally managed method to prevent the manure particles and effluents from entering the surrounding environment and decontaminate the manure before land application. However, more knowledge about bacterial decontamination is needed to ensure complete decontamination and reduce storage time and space.
This study was conducted to estimate microbial growth or inactivation as a function of environmental and physico-chemical factors during six months of storage in containers. First, the fluctuations in the number of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria were investigated in two big containers with or without adding wheat straw regarding alterations in temperature, dry matter (DM), pH, and oxygen levels. Second, the survival of bacteria belonging to Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni were examined in a bucket filled with the same manure. This allows for the anticipation of pathogenic bacterial elimination in the containers concerning the Enterobacteriaceae population.
According to bacterial analyses, the number of Enterobacteriaceae went below detection limit after nine weeks for the containers and four weeks for the bucket. Salmonella was detected after enrichment during the whole experiment period in the samples from the surface of the bucket, while it was not detected from sixth week in the middle of the bucket, except for week 12. Campylobacter could not be detected by enrichment one week after inoculation. According to our results, direct cultivation on selective agar media following dilution for Enterobacteriaceae is not a reliable indicator for complete Salmonella inactivation in a sample. This thesis further emphasizes the significant impact of different physico-chemical parameters on manure composting. Low pH, desiccation, and heat were some of the parameters that contributed to the bacterial inactivation. A closely monitored process with proper amounts of required elements results in faster organic decomposition and bacterial decontamination
Complementary porridge based on pearl millet and cow pea
Get PDFIn Mozambique, malnutrition in children under 5 years is a serious concern. The condition is thought to be owing to nutritionally inferior diets and improper feeding practices on a mainly cereal-based diet, where porridges from millet- and legume-flours constitute the major staple food. Prior to cooking the porridges, traditional processing techniques are often applied to the cereal grains and grain legumes, such as soaking, germination and fermentation. These processing techniques have been suggested in literature to improve the nutritional quality, by reducing the amount of antinutritional compounds naturally present in both millets and grain legumes. Some of these processing methods have also been reported to modify the starch composition which result in changes in functional properties, e.g. pasting properties, and improve starch digestibility.
The objective of this master thesis was to formulate complementary porridges based on cereal grain; pearl millet, and grain legume; cow pea, to evaluate these for changes in cooking quality (i.e., pasting properties) and in vitro starch digestibility due to the effects of cooking method and traditional processing techniques (e.g. germination, fermentation, soaking). Two aims were formulated to meet the objective. The first was to determine the impact of ingredient formulation on product consistency in terms of pasting characteristics. The second was to map the starch digestibility of the formulated porridges.
The pasting properties of formulated complementary porridges were analysed with a rapid visco analyzer (RVA) using two costume temperature running profiles, i.e. “slow cooking” and “rapid cooking”. In direct connection to analysing the pasting properties of porridges, the in vitro starch digestibility was analysed using a “Digestible starch assay kit” from Megazyme.
The impact of ingredient formulation on product consistency showed that porridges constituting of soaked and germinated pearl millet generally displayed substantially lower viscosities, compared to porridges constituting of only soaked pearl millet. The results also showed that fermentation of cow pea only marginally affected porridge pasting properties. Further, the cooking method, i.e. slow cooking or rapid cooking, did not substantially affect pasting properties of porridges. Lastly, the in vitro starch digestibility was neither impacted by ingredient formulation, nor by cooking methods used.
In future research, when formulating complementary porridges based on pearl millet and cow pea for malnourished children, one would optimally utilize the effects of germination as it offers an increase energy- and nutrient density. One would also utilize the effects of fermentation, as literature suggest that the process improves seed nutrient bioavailability.
Keywords: cow pea; pearl millet; complementary porridge formulation; traditional processing techniques; germination; fermentation; soaking; pasting properties; starch digestibility; energy densityI Moçambique är undernäring hos barn under 5 år ett allvarligt problem. Problemet tros bero på näringsmässigt sämre dieter och felaktiga utfodringsmetoder på en huvudsakligen spannmålsbaserad diet, där gröt tillagad av hirs- och baljväxtmjöl utgör den viktigaste basfödan. Innan gröten tillagas tillämpas ofta traditionella bearbetningstekniker på ingredienserna, dessa tekniker innefattar blötläggning, groning och jäsning. Dessa tekniker har föreslagits förbättra näringskvaliten i ingredienserna genom att minska nivåerna av naurligt förekommande antinutrienter. Teknikerna har även rapporterats modifiera ingrediensers stärkelsesammansättning, vilket i sin tur kan leda till förändringar i de funktionella egenskaperma, så som tillagningsegenskaper och stärkelse smältbarhet.
Syftet med denna masteruppsats var att formulera kompletterande grötar på pärlhirs och koärt, för att utvärdera dennes tillagningskvalitet genom att studera stärkelsens egenskaper och in vitro stärkelse smältbarhet. Detta efter att ingredienserna pärlhirs och koärt blivit utsatta för bearbetningstekniker (t.ex. groning, fermentering, blötläggning). Två mål formulerades för att uppnå syftet. Det första målet var att bestämma effekten av ingrediensformulering på produktens konsistens när det gäller stärkelsens egenskaper. Det andra målet var att kartlägga stärkelsens smältbarhet av de formulerade grötarna.
De komplementära grötarnas tillagningsegenskaper analyserades med hjälp av en ”rapid visco analyzer” (RVA), där två programprofiler skapades, d.v.s. "långsam tillagning" och "snabb tillagning". I direkt anslutning till utvärderingen av stärkelsens egenskaper, så analyserades även grötarnas smältbarhet genom att använda ett färdigt kit, "Digestible starch assay kit", från Megazyme.
Inverkan av ingrediensformulering på produktens konsistens visade att gröt som består av groddad pärlhirs i allmänhet uppvisade avsevärt lägre viskositeter, jämför med gröt som bestod av blötlagd pärlhirs. Resultaten visade också att jäsning av koärter endast marginellt påverkade viskositeten . Vidare visade tillagningsmetoden, dvs långsam tillagning eller snabb tillagning, inte väsentligt påverka pastaegenskaperna hos gröt. Slutligen påverkades in vitro-stärkelsens smältbarheten varken utav ingredienssammansättningen eller av använda tillagningsmetoder.
I framtida forskning när man formulerar komplementära grötar baserade på pärlhirs och koärter för undernärda barn skulle man optimalt utnyttja effekterna av groning eftersom det ger en ökad energi- och näringstäthet. Man skulle också utnyttja effekterna av jäsning, eftersom litteraturen tyder på att processen förbättrar frönäringsbiotillgängligheten
Jämförelse av synovitgrad mellan olika lokalisationer i ledkapseln hos häst
Get PDFOsteoartrit är en vanlig ledsjukdom hos häst och drabbar alla ledens vävnader. Synovial inflammation (synovit) ses ofta i samband med osteoartrit hos häst. Humanstudier har visat att synovitgraden varierar inom leden, men trots detta finns det brister i hur väl provtagningsstället anges i studier som tittar på synovialmembranet. Syftet med detta examensarbete var att bedöma om provtagningsstället påverkar den histologiska bedömningen av synovitgraden hos häst. Dessutom undersöktes om man riskerar att över- eller underskatta synovitgraden vid provtagning på andra ställen än dorsalt på ledkapseln. För den histologiska bedömningen samlades material från en kotled och en carpalled från 10 hästar. Tre prover från varje led bedömdes enligt OARSIs (Osteoarthritis Research Society International) histologiska graderingssystem för synoviopatier. Därefter jämfördes de dorsala proverna från varje led med de mediala och laterala proverna från samma led. Denna studie visar att den histologiska bedömningen av synovitgraden hos häst påverkas av provtagningsstället. Exempelvis var totalpoängen lägre för synovitgraden vid provtagning på andra ställen än dorsalt i kotleden. Dessutom sågs en skillnad i totalpoängen för synovitgraden mellan prover som tagits dorsalt respektive medialt eller lateralt i carpus. Däremot kunde ingen skillnad påvisas mellan de laterala och mediala proverna. Eftersom det histologiska utseendet på synovialmembranet skiljer sig mellan olika provtagningsställen finns det en risk för att även andra parametrar, såsom mängden inflammatoriska celler eller cytokiner, varierar inom leden. Ytterligare studier behövs för att utreda betydelsen av variationen i synovitgrad som sågs inom leden. Dessutom bör provtagningsstället alltid anges i studier av ledkapseln.Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease in horses and affects all the tissues of the joint. Inflammation of the synovial membrane (synovitis) is commonly seen in horses with osteoarthritis. Human studies have shown that the synovitis score differs within the joint. Despite this, many studies fail to specify where in the joint capsule the samples have been obtained. This study describes the effect of sampling site on the histological synovitis scoring in horses. Furthermore, this study investigates if the synovitis score is over- or underestimated when the sample is obtained medially or laterally, instead of dorsally in the joint capsule.
Samples for the histological assessment were collected from 10 horses. The joint capsules of one metacarpophalangeal joint and one intercarpal joint were sampled from each horse. Three samples from each joint were assessed with OARSIs (Osteoarthritis Research Society International) histological grading system for synoviopathies. The dorsal samples were then compared to the medial and lateral samples from the same joint.
The results of this study show that the histological assessment of the synovitis score in horses is dependent on the sampling site. As an example the total score for synovitis was lower when the sample was obtained medially or laterally instead of dorsally in the metacarpophalangeal joint. The total score of the medial and the lateral samples also differed from the dorsal sample in the carpal joint. However, no statistically significant differences were detected between the lateral and medial samples. The variation in the synovitis score within the joint may indicate that other parameters, such as the amount of inflammatory cells or cytokines also vary. Further studies are needed to shed light on the impact of the variation in the synovitis score within the joint. Information on synovial membrane sampling site should always be included in the materials and methods
Effekten av växtnäring på överlevnad, tillväxt och vitalitet på planterade tall- och granplantor
Get PDFTillväxten i den svenska skogen är en central del för ett hållbart skogsbruk. Därför är markberedning och plantering viktigt för en ökad tillväxt och överlevnad för plantor av både tall (Pinus sylvestris) och gran (Picea abies). Tillsatt växtnäring vid plantering är en metod som kan öka plantors tillväxt och överlevnad. Denna studie undersöker två olika gödselmedel, ArGrow som består av organiska
aminosyror i form av arginin, och Agroblen som är oorganiskt N-P-K gödsel, för att se under en växtsäsong hur tillväxten i form av toppskottet, överlevnaden samt vitaliteten ter sig och jämföra med kontroll. Försöken gjordes på en lokal i norra Sverige (64°40'0.75"N, 19° 1'22.34"O). Trakten
var markberedd med högläggning och planteringspunkterna var dels i mineraljorden i spåret, dels ovanpå den omvända torvan med mineraljord. Resultatet visade ett signifikant högre toppskott för gödselbehandlade plantor samt ett signifikant högre toppskott för plantor i mineraljord. Detta gällde för både tall och gran. Tallplanteringen visade att Agroblen hade ett signifikant högre toppskott medan ArGrow hade ett lika långt toppskott som kontrollplantorna. Vid tallplanteringen fanns det ej någon interaktion mellan val av gödselmedel och planteringspunkt. Vid granplanteringen fanns det en interaktion där Agroblen hade ett signifikant högre toppskott än både ArGrow och Kontroll i både mineraljord och i omvänd torva. Ingen signifikant skillnad kunde beräknas för överlevnaden då andelen överlevande plantor var över 93% för samtliga behandlingskombinationer. Skadeandelen var ej statistiskt signifikant men visade att plantor planterade utan gödselmedel hade en större andel
nedsatt vitalitet för både tall och gran än gödselbehandlade plantor.Growth in the Swedish is a central part of sustainable forestry. Therefore, site preparation and planting are important for increased growth and survival of both pine (Pinus sylvestris) and spruce (Picea abies) seedlings. Added plant nutrition at planting is a method that can increase seedling growth and survival. This study investigates two different fertilizers; ArGrow which consists of organic amino acids in the form of arginine, and Agroblen which is inorganic N-P-K fertilizer, to see during a growing season how the growth in the form of top shoot, survival and vitality looks like and compare it with a control. The experiment was done at a location in northern Sweden (64°40'0.75"N, 19°1'22.34"E). The area was prepared with mounding and the planting points were partly in the mineral soil in the track, partly on top of the inverted peat with mineral soil. The result showed a significantly higher top shoot for fertilizer-treated plants and a significantly higher top shoot for plants in mineral soil. This applied to both pine and spruce. The pine planting showed that Agroblen had a significantly higher top shoot while ArGrow did not have a significantly higher top shoot than the control plants. In the pine planting, there was no interaction between choice of fertilizer and planting point. At the spruce planting, there was and interaction between where
Agroblen had significantly higher top shoot than both ArGrow and Control in both mineral soil and in reversed peat. No significant difference could be calculated for survival as the percentage of surviving plants was over 93% for all treatment combinations. The percentage of damage was not
statistically significant but showed that seedlings planted without fertilizer had a greater proportion of reduced vitality for both pine and spruce than fertilizer-treated seedlings
Bonderevolt eller överlevnadskreativitet
Get PDFI denna uppsats undersöks mjölkgårdar som investerat i och utvecklat förädling av gårdarnas egen mjölk. Fyra mjölkgårdar har besökts och där har jag genomfört djupgående intervjuer och observationer i två dagar på vardera gård. Jag har studerat vilka utmaningar gårdarna möter, men också vilka fördelar och mervärden det ger att förädla mjölken. Studien bygger på kvalitativa forskningsmetoder i fältarbetet för att förstå hur de som driver gårdarna uppfattar sin ekonomiska, sociala och kulturella situation och sin verksamhet. En av mina huvudfrågor är hur bönderna ser på livsmedelssystemet och den roll de spelar i det. För att kunna förstå detta har jag använt mig av Bourdieus teorier om fält och habitus samt begreppen relationsmat och berättande. Studien visar att aktörerna kliver in i ett nytt fält med förädlingen. De befinner sig genom förädlingen i vad jag valt att beteckna som ”livsmedelsfältet”, samtidigt som de har kvar en stövel i ”jordbruksfältet”. Mjölkproduktion och förädling av mjölk är två skilda verksamheter där olika sorters kunskap krävs. Det är mjölken som binder samman, i övrigt ställs helt andra krav på den som vill börja förädla. Att förädla den egna mjölken från gården upplever mjölkproducenterna som värdefullt, de får mer bekräftelse genom förädlingen i mötet med konsumenter. Det blir en helhet och de har kunskap och relation till varje del av processen. Från växtodling och djuromsorg till förädling. Denna helhetsbild kan producenterna förmedla ut till konsument genom direktkontakt mellan dem och genom storytelling, detta berättande skapar relationsmat vilket minskar glappet mellan producenter och konsumenter.In this essay, the opportunity for dairy farms to process the farms' milk is investigated. Four dairy farms have been visited in Sweden where I have done interviewers and observations for two days on each farm. I have studied what challenges the farms face, but also which advantages and added value the processing of the milk brings. I have used qualitative research methods in the fieldwork to understand how those who run the farms operate their economic, social- and cultural situation and their business. One of my main questions is how the farmers experience the global food system and their role in it. To do this, I use Bourdieu's theories about fields and habitus as well as the concept of storytelling and relation to food. The study shows that the actors are stepping into a new field with the small-scale dairy, what I chose to call the "food field". While still having a boot in the agricultural field by keeping on with the milk production and therefore also still be primary producers. In the food-field, they must have the knowledge of food safety, labeling, packaging, marketing, and sales. This is knowledge that primary producers of milk do not need to think about. Milk production and processing of milk are two separate businesses where different kinds of knowledge is needed. Completely different requirements are placed on those who want to process part of their farm's milk. Processing one's own milk from the farm is perceived by informants as valuable. It will be a unity and they have knowledge and relationship to every part of the process. From crops, calf’s, animal care to the processing of milk. This whole process is possible for the producers to communicate to consumers through direct contact and throe storytelling, which can create food that brings the value of relation to the food production and to the producer. This can decease the gap between producers and consumers
Allegro i Musikparken
Get PDFMöjligheten att aktiveras, träffa människor och delta i samhället är alla grundläggande mänskliga behov, som till följd av restriktioner under covid-19-pandemin begränsats. En plats som varit i stort sett fredad från restriktionerna är utemiljön. Folkhälsomyndigheten pekar på att det är viktigt att vara ute och röra på sig för att må bra. Genom att vara fysiskt aktiv i naturen aktiveras kroppen, samtidigt som det går att finna lugn och möjlighet till återhämtning och reflektion.
Syftet med detta arbete är att föreslå en gestaltning av en allaktivitetspark i den nuvarande Musikparken i Uppsala. Med platsen och platsens brukare som utgångspunkt syftar arbetet till att föreslå en socialt och ekologisk hållbar gestaltning. Resultatet visar en möjlig framtida utveckling av den befintliga parken, med nya upplevelsevärden, tillgänglighet och stärkta ekosystemtjänster.
Gottsunda är en stadsdel i sydvästra Uppsala som har gott om rekreationsvärden. Musikparken ligger nära Gottsunda centrum och den planerade nya Gottsundaskolan. Vi har velat ge alla lika förutsättningar att använda Musikparken i framtiden, vilket inkluderat en fördjupning i aspekter såsom trygghet, jämställdhet och tillgänglighet i offentliga miljöer. Genom medborgarsamtal via semistrukturerade intervjuer och enkät har vi fått ta del av vad Musikparkens brukare tycker. Tillsammans med analyser blev detta underlag till gestaltningens programpunkter och innehåll. Parken analyserades innan och efter gestaltningsförslaget med designprinciper för tillgänglighet, Universell Utformning, och Boverkets analysverktyg för ekosystemtjänster, ESTER.
Det slutgiltiga gestaltningsförslagets utbud av upplevelsevärden utvärderades med hjälp av 8 kategorier av restorativa och instorativa värden. Designprocessen drevs framåt av skissande, varvat med platsbesök och studiebesök, och guidades av medborgarsamtal och utförda analyser. Gestaltningsförslaget ”Allegro i Musikparken” har utformat Musikparken till att vara en tillgänglig, inkluderande och trygg plats med olika sorters aktiviteter för en mångfald av brukare. Analys med ekosystemtjänstverktyget ESTER visade att majoriteten av ekosystemtjänsterna har stärkts med gestaltningsförslaget. Tillgängligheten fick ett stort fokus tack vare principerna för Universell Utformning.
Slutsatser som dras från resultatet är att det finns många olika behov och intressen att ta hänsyn till i vårt arbete, och att det är en utmaning att tillgodose samtliga av dessa. Prioriteringar gjordes med helheten i åtanke och för att uppnå en balans mellan sociala, ekologiska och estetiska värden. Vidare var det viktigt att behålla parkens ursprungliga struktur och utveckla befintliga värden.Having opportunities of activity, meeting people and participating in society are essential human needs that have been limited by the restrictions put in place since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic. Outdoor environments have been the exception to the restrictions. The public health authority has pointed out the importance of outdoor physical activity for our wellbeing. By being physically active in nature the body is activated, and there is also the opportunity to calm down, recover and reflect.
The aim of this thesis is to design a socially and ecologically sustainable multi activity park next to the planned new school in Gottsunda. The design will, by being based on the existing park and its users, strengthen the ecosystem services and affordances, and fill the needs of the users.
We have chosen to work with Musikparken in Gottsunda, a district in the southern part of Uppsala in Sweden. Musikparken is close to the district center and a planned school. Our intention is to let people use this park on the same terms, which has led to us studying aspects such as safety, equality and accessibility in public spaces. By interviewing and sending out forms to the users of the park we received opinions which helped us develop our design. Accessibility properties and ecosystem services on the site were analyzed before and after implementing the design, using the tools Universal Design and ESTER. To strengthen the affordances of the park, the design included 8 restorative and instorative affordances that support wellbeing. Our design process was driven forward by iterative sketching, site visits and inventory, using the citizen dialogue and site analysis to guide us.
The design proposal is called “Allegro in Musikparken”. The proposal is an accessible, inclusive and safe space, with a diverse selection of activities for a diverse group of users. Here you will find fast-paced and calm activities, play and recovery. The design’s effect on ecosystem services was analyzed with ESTER, an evaluating tool which showed that a majority of ecosystem services had increased. Accessibility was evaluated and secured with the tool Universal design.
Conclusions from the results revolve around the challenge of considering the many needs and interests of the users.
Another finding was that ecological, social and aesthetic values can work with or against each other in design, and the aim for our proposal has been to find a balance between these values. It was also important to keep the original structure of the park and develop the existing values
Evaluating the effects of climate change on Arctic char
Get PDFClimate change is predicted to increase the average global temperature with 1.5 °C between 2030 and 2052. The areas that are most vulnerable for climate change are the arctic regions. Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a cold-water salmonid species with the most northern distribution of all freshwater fish species. The distribution area of Arctic char in Sweden is predicted to decrease with 73 % by 2100, both as a result of warmer climate and changed species interactions. Here, I have studied how climate change will affect the habitat- and food choice as well as the growth of Arctic char, both in waters where brown trout (Salmo trutta) are absent (Abiskojaure), and in waters where they are present (Stor-Björsjön). By analysing available catch data from both lakes, habitat selection of Arctic char and brown trout could be studied. Food choice was studied by examining stomach content, and growth by measuring annual growth rings on otoliths. My results show that the habitat selection of Arctic char in Abiskojaure was only dependent on the size of the fish, where fish in the small and large size ranges ( 400 mm) were found in shallower water compared to fish in the intermediate size ranges (101 – 200 mm and 201 – 300 mm). In Stor-Björsjön the habitat selection for Arctic char was dependent on both size of fish and surface temperature. In Stor-Björsjön, Arctic char in the small and large size ranges ( 300 mm) were found at a wider range of depths compared to Arctic char in the intermediate size ranges (101 – 200 mm and 201 – 300 mm), which were found in a more limited depth span. The Arctic char tended to stay deeper as surface temperatures increased, and where brown trout was present. Arctic char’s diet in Abiskojaure mainly consisted of crustaceans, but in Stor-Björsjön, pelagic zooplankton were the main food source. Differences in annual growth could be seen between younger and older Arctic char. In Abiskojaure warm or cold years did not affect the annual growth over age differently. In Stor-Björsjön however, younger Arctic char benefitted in growth from the warmer water, in contrast to older fish that had lower growth in warm waters compared to cold. In short, my results indicate that climate change, and the consequences of it, are likely to have a negative effect on the Arctic char population in Sweden. In Stor-Björsjön, where water temperatures sometimes exceed the optimal temperature range for the Arctic char, they utilize deeper water with higher surface temperatures, showing they prefer colder water. The growth of larger Arctic char is also lower in warmer compared to colder years in Stor-Björsjön, further indicating the preference of colder water. In Stor-Björsjön, where Arctic char and brown trout co-exist, the two species inhabit different parts of the lake. The brown trout shallower areas since they are stronger competitors for littoral resources during the ice-free period. It is unclear how severely the Arctic char will be affected of climate change in the future and further studies are required to understand the situation better and to take measures to preserve the species to as large extent as possible
The Potential of Combining Christian Faith and Nature Conservation
Get PDFThe global human population is growing and occupies an increasing area of land. Consequently, human and wildlife populations overlap which leads to more and intensified human-wildlife conflicts. To solve those, conservationists increasingly try to understand and change people’s attitudes. However, research about the cognitive hierarchy has shown that there are more factors relevant for an individual’s behavior. Therefore, scientists develop new innovative mitigation strategies which are often aimed to educate the public without considering other important factors that influence and determine people’s daily lives and their worldview. To address those, it might be more effective to work with an already existing belief system that provides a set of values and norms and therefore influences attitudes. Religions are naturally based on such a foundation and offer a way of life that includes a respectful interaction with the natural world. In African countries with an abundance of wildlife, Christianity is the most common religion. Based on that, with this study, I developed an environmental education program that incorporates the Christian idea of creation care into conservation efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. During a literature review, results from different fields including human-wildlife conflicts, the cognitive hierarchy, awe research, religion and Christianity were combined to establish a scientific foundation and formulate first ideas for the environmental education program. After a study site in Kenya was identified, I conducted an environmental assessment. Additionally, I created a rich picture, a stakeholder analysis and systems maps to get a better understanding of the place and people’s struggles and needs. Based on the findings, a desired future situation and a force field analysis could be formulated. I also visited the three main Christian conservation organizations in Kenya to participate in their programs, gather ideas and conduct participant observations. As a result of the literature review and the field work, I developed an environmental education program that will be implemented by church leaders, the most influential people in a community. It aims not only to ease the conflict between humans and wildlife but to empower communities to appreciate the place they are in and see the ability for change within the community without dependency on others. The program includes sermons that address topics like soil, trees, farming, and wildlife and aim to create a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of everything the Christian God has created. Additionally, to the sermons, practical activities like Game Drives, establishing a tree nursery, learning alternative farming methods, or building a fireless cooker are included to create awe, a feeling that can change the course of life within a short period of time, empower the community, live more sustainably, and create an environment where the community and wildlife can live and thrive
Genetic characterization of a Ragdoll family affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Get PDFHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common cardiac disease among felines, resulting in myocardial hypertrophy and subsequent decreased cardiac function. Consequently, cats may develop congestive heart failure and/or arterial thromboembolism. The disease is inherited and various mutations in sarcomeric genes have been associated with feline HCM. Known gene variants have been reported in the genes myosin binding protein C3 (MYBPC3), myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7), troponin T2 (TNNT2) and Alstrom syndrome protein 1 (ALMS1).
The aim of this master thesis was to examine the occurrence of genomic variants, known to be associated with feline HCM, that possibly could explain the high HCM penetrance among members of an affected Ragdoll cat family.
Samples from eight cats from a Ragdoll family affected by HCM and an additional sample from an unrelated Ragdoll affected by HCM were included in this study. Previously collected blood samples from seven cats, swabs from the oral cavity from one cat and cardiac tissue from one cat were included and used for DNA analysing. Sequence specific primers were designed or used from previous research, quality checked and used for sequencing and subsequent analysing to detect any genetic variants in the analysed regions of the cats’ DNA.
All family members affected by HCM were homozygous for the Ragdoll breed-specific gene variant in MYBPC3 (p.R820W). None of the healthy family members were homozygous for the gene variant, however, two healthy cats were heterozygous. Four of eight family members were heterozygous for the TNNT2 gene variant, however, all the TNNT2 heterozygous family members were healthy. All HCM affected family members were negative for the gene variant in TNNT2. All family members were negative for the other gene variants. The unrelated Ragdoll cat was negative for all tested gene variants.
Results from this study indicate that the Ragdoll breed-specific variant in MYBPC3 is a probable cause of the high prevalence of HCM among the family members of the present Ragdoll family. In this study, there were a strong association between family members homozygous for this gene variant and family members affected by HCM. However, the possibility that an unknown or novel gene variant is causing the high prevalence of HCM among this Ragdoll family, cannot be excluded. In this study population, there were no associations between the gene variant in TNNT2 and HCM among the Ragdoll cats
Effects of climate on phenology, flowering, and berry production of boreal forest understory plants
Get PDFClimate is changing faster than it was predicted before and consequently its impact is highly visible
on many types of ecosystems globally. Effects of changing climate on forests and the environment
are leading to threats for all sorts of ecosystems. Now the management of forests and decision
making for environmental protection is following the trend of the impacts of climate change. Climate
change is expected to affect plant and animal phenology. Phenological studies are a way to see how
plants react to the changing climate. This study focused on this concept and tried to figure out the
effects of climate on phenology, flowering, and berry production of four important boreal forest
understory plants. Plant material was moved from colder locations (2-degree Celsius temperature
difference) to three forest sites in southern, middle, and north Sweden. The potted plants were
located in 10 different places at each site together with equally treated local plant material that served
as a control. Sites used in the transplant experiment are from north to south: Tärnaby to Vindeln
(northern Sweden), Idre to Siljan (middle of Sweden) and Tomtabacken to Vivarp (southern
Sweden). For this experiment, the studied species were Solidago virgaurea L. (European golden
rod), Vaccinium myrtillus L. (Billberry), Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (lingonberry or cowberry) and
Fragaria vesca L. (wild strawberry or woodland strawberry). Later, in the growing season, photos
were taken of both provenances (cold provenance and warm provenance) in all three forest sites.
This study aimed to find out translocation treatment effects for species-wise selected phenological
traits. Finally, through image analysis considering selected phenological traits, this research has
found strong treatment effects (at least at two sites out of three) for three phenological traits. DOY
(day of the year) of first fruit development of F. vesca responded to the translocation treatment at
Siljan and Vindeln. Again, DOY of seed setting and DOY of highest percentage of flowering of S.
virgaurea responded to the translocation treatment at Vivarp and Vindeln. But, in most cases, no
translocation treatment effects have been found for other phenological traits, and specifically for V.
myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea, no treatment effects were found throughout this experiment which
implies phenotypic plasticity. Absence of effects is an indication that these selected phenological
traits would follow the effect of climate change through the adaptation process. This research work
can be considered as a good reference for the phenology study of boreal forest understory plants,
especially to know how studied phenological traits react to a translocation experiment with a
temperature change, phenotypic plasticity and also to understand the change of phenology by
climate change for above mentioned species