1,940 research outputs found
Doing business with an educator's heart: transforming adult teaching and learning
No full textThe author presents first-hand and personal accounts of what popular education looks like in a classroom. Barbara Bee has had over 30 years teaching experience in adult education programs with poor and disadvantaged learners. She describes how teaching in the 1970s and 1980s was so different to today. Back then teachers were encouraged to negotiate curriculum with students. And Barbara is regarded as one of the leading Australian practitioners in that time who drew inspiration from Paulo Freire. But today teachers are expected to adhere to a tightly prescribed set of curriculum and assessment guidelines
A colorimetric screening method to evaluate the presence of pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and their N-Oxides in bee pollen
No full textBee pollen is consumed as a food supplement due to its nutritional properties. However, depending on the botanical sources visited by the honeybees, natural toxins such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids can be present in bee products. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their N-oxides (PANOs) are synthesised by a variety of plant species, mainly from the families Asteraceae, Boraginaceae and Fabaceae, as a mechanism of defence against herbivores. Since PAs/PANOs can cause acute and chronic toxicity in humans after metabolic activation, it is important to determine their presence in bee products. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a colorimetric method that could allow establishing a possible relationship between the presence of PAs-PANOs and bee pollen colour. Bee pollen samples acquired from supermarkets and online stores (n=32) were analysed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a validated method to quantify 17 PAs/PANOs (1). The CIE-L*a*b* colour coordinates of the bee pollen samples in grains and ground grains were recorded in dark conditions using a Konica Minolta CD-600 visible spectrophotometer. The Spearman rank correlation coefficients (rs) between PAs/PANOs and colour coordinates were calculated. Furthermore, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, was carried out to define the capability of b* (yellowness) to rank the presence of PAs/PANOs according to a cut-off of 35 μg kg-1 (PAs/PANOs ≤ 35 negative, PAs/PANOs >35 positive). PAs/PANOs were present in 24 (75%) of the samples analysed by LC-MS/MS. The total PAs/PANOs concentration ranged from 1.7 to 3148.9 μg.kg-1. A significant correlation (rs= -0.53; P= 0.002) between b* PAs/PANOs was detected on ground bee pollens. The ROC analysis evidenced that a threshold of b* ≤ 38 could be used as an indicator to predict the presence of a total PAs-PANOs content > 35 μg kg-1 with accuracy, sensitivity and specificity equal to 0.78, 1.00, 0.61, respectively. The colorimetric analysis showed to be simple, fast, non-destructive, highly sensitive and accurate to predict the presence of PAs/PANOs in ground bee pollens. Acknowledgements tothe University of padua for funding this Project CPDA 15889
A multidisciplinary Approach to Evaluate Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and their N_oxide Metabolites presence in Bee pollen: Conventional and Innovative methods
No full textBee pollen production is gradually increasing due to demand for dietary supplements and therapeutic natural products. However, bee products might be unsafe for human consumption, if they originates from plants (families Asteraceae, Boraginaceae and Fabaceae) producing secondary defense metabolites as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their N-oxide metabolites (PANOs). Monitoring PAs-PANOs in pollen, not required by the European legislation, could be useful to protect human health, in particular children and strong consumers. The aim of the study was to evaluate plants involved in the PAs-PANOs presence in bee pollen, applying classical technologies, as liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and melissopalynological analysis, with modern techniques as the DNA barcoding approach.
Bee pollen samples, purchased from beekeepers of the Veneto region (North Italy), supermarkets or online stores (n=84), were analysed by LC-MS/MS) with a validated method to quantify 17 PAs/PANOs (1). In order to identify the plant source of PAs and PANOs a melissopalynological analysis and a ITS2 region DNA barcoding approach were applied on 36 and on 55-bee pollen samples, respectively.
The results obtained by LC-MS/MS analysis indicate different PAs-PANOs contamination profile reflecting the different botanical and geographical origins of bee pollen samples. Most samples from Veneto region contained Senecio-type PAs-PANOs (Asteraceae family, i.e. Senecio vulgaris). On the other hand, Lycopsamine-type PAs-PANOs (Boraginaceae family, i.e. Borago officinalis, Echium plantagineum), were present in most samples from the great retail market. The microscopic analysis of 36-bee pollen confirmed the presence of Echium and Borago pollen grains in 39% of the samples classified as positive by LC-MS/MS and characterized by a Lycopsamine-type alkaloid contamination panel. The 61% of the LC-MS/MS positive samples was classified as negative, false negative samples. On the other hand, only the 3% was false positive samples. The DNA metabarcoding approach showed a good correlation between PAs-PANOs detected by LC-MS/MS analysis and the presence of DNA of producing plant belonging to Asteraceae and Boraginaceae family, with a correct attribution of the positive samples equal to 79%, with a false negative rate equal to 21%.
Preliminary results obtained suggest DNA barcoding approach as a promising tool to identify PAs-PANOs in pollen samples. This information could be useful in order to alert beekeepers about the presence of dangerous plants in their area of farming.
Acknowledgements to University of Padua for funding this Project CPTA 15889
Honey bee survival mechanisms against the parasite Varroa destructor: a systematic review of phenotypic and genomic research efforts
No full textThe ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is the most significant pathological threat to the western honey bee, Apis mellifera, leading to the death of most colonies if left untreated. An alternative approach to chemical treatments is to selectively enhance heritable honey bee traits of resistance or tolerance to the mite through breeding programs, or select for naturally surviving untreated colonies. We conducted a literature review of all studies documenting traits of A. mellifera populations either selectively bred or naturally selected for resistance and tolerance to mite parasitism. This allowed us to conduct an analysis of the diversity, distribution and importance of the traits in different honey bee populations that can survive V. destructor globally. In a second analysis, we investigated the genetic bases of these different phenotypes by comparing 'omics studies (genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics) of A. mellifera resistance and tolerance to the parasite. Altogether, this review provides a detailed overview of the current state of the research projects and breeding efforts against the most devastating parasite of A. mellifera. By highlighting the most promising traits of Varroa-surviving bees and our current knowledge on their genetic bases, this work will help direct future research efforts and selection programs to control this pest. Additionally, by comparing the diverse populations of honey bees that exhibit those traits, this review highlights the consequences of anthropogenic and natural selection in the interactions between hosts and parasites. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian Society for Parasitology
A Work Bee
No full textPhotograph - Seven teams of horses and men at a work bee for Tom Black, putting his crops in, Athabasca, Albert
Using inbound marketing strategy for raising brand awareness on the Finnish market; case: bee smart city
No full textThis thesis covers inbound marketing strategy developed to raise brand awareness about the German smart solution platform on the Finnish market. This thesis accommodates information about inbound marketing, social media marketing, and brand awareness. Product development methods used in the thesis helped to gather a better customer understanding, find effective approaches in reaching probable customers, create a long-list of potential customers and develop an inbound marketing strategy for raising brand awareness among Finnish hypothetical customers.
The theoretical part of the study combines research completed in an inbound marketing sphere, books based on the thesis’ topic, and successful cases of inbound marketing strategies, that have been applied to social media campaigns and gained incredible results. Moreover, the theoretical part includes marketing trends and best practices, which were partly applied in the inbound marketing strategy for the case company.
The chosen methods for product development were interviews, long-list and inbound marketing strategy, which were applied during May 2020. Interviews were made with existing customers online and long-list was created based on the internet search. The inbound marketing strategy was created based on the results of the interviews with using long-list data. The results of the thesis include tested inbound marketing strategy for raising brand awareness on the Finnish market and suggestions based on implementation results.
Results of interviews, long-list, and planned actions were designed into tables for most convenient perception and analysis. Results of strategy testing, and its analysis presented partly in tables. After the analysis was made, conclusions and suggestions were made. Suggestions were made by the author and can be implemented by the case company to increase possible brand awareness on the Finnish market.
Suggestions were designed on basis of tested strategy. Suggestions include ideas, that can be implemented in future inbound marketing activities. Aim of new suggestions given to increase bee smart city’s brand awareness in Finland, make it more recognizable and get new customers and new smart solutions
Chasing the honey bee: enhancing leadership for sustainability
No full textThis paper explores the ways in which different conceptions of leadership can contribute to the sustainability of economic productivity, social equity and, of course, the natural systems and resources upon which all social and economic development depend. It begins by briefly defining leadership and outlining the major approaches to leadership studies in terms of trait and social theories of leadership. In particular, the paper argues that transformational leadership and what Western (2013) calls “eco-leadership” are most consistent with the systemic, ethical and learning dimensions of sustainability. This involves contrasting what Avery and Bergsteiner (2011, 2013) call the “honey bee” and the “locust” approaches to leadership. With these authors, the chapter argues that the “honey bee” approach of critical, transformational leadership is most consistent with sustainability. The paper concludes with an example of how capacities for “honey bee” leadership and eco-leadership can be developed and enhanced through a university programme
N’importe où hors du monde : Susan Bee in Paris
No full text“I want the paintings to create a space that people want to be in, that the paintings will give them some hope for the future.” Susan Bee On November 27, 2019, I had the pleasure to host a talk by artist, editor, and book artist Susan Bee. An audience of professionals and art students from Paris College of Art attended the event and were introduced to Bee’s rich and multifaceted creative universe. A New York native, Bee has developed, since the early 1970s, a deeply personal painterly style c..
Using Citizen Science to Scout Honey Bee Colonies That Naturally Survive <i>Varroa destructor</i> Infestations
No full textCitizen Science contributes significantly to the conservation of biodiversity, but its application to honey bee research has remained minimal. Even though certain European honey bee (Apis mellifera) populations are known to naturally survive Varroa destructor infestations, it is unclear how widespread or common such populations are. Such colonies are highly valuable for investigating the mechanisms enabling colony survival, as well as for tracking the conservation status of free-living honey bees. Here, we use targeted Citizen Science to identify potentially new cases of managed or free-living A. mellifera populations that survive V. destructor without mite control strategies. In 2018, a survey containing 20 questions was developed, translated into 13 languages, and promoted at beekeeping conferences and online. After three years, 305 reports were collected from 28 countries: 241 from managed colonies and 64 from free-living colonies. The collected data suggest that there could be twice as many naturally surviving colonies worldwide than are currently known. Further, online and personal promotion seem to be key for successful recruitment of participants. Although the survivor status of these colonies still needs to be confirmed, the volume of reports and responses already illustrate how effectively Citizen Science can contribute to bee research by massively increasing generated data, broadening opportunities for comparative research, and fostering collaboration between scientists, beekeepers, and citizens. The success of this survey spurred the development of a more advanced Citizen Science platform, Honey Bee Watch, that will enable a more accurate reporting, confirmation, and monitoring of surviving colonies, and strengthen the ties between science, stakeholders, and citizens to foster the protection of both free-living and managed honey bees
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