1,883 research outputs found
The Dutch health system reform: creating value
Get PDFTulder, M.W. van [Promotor]Koolman, A.H.E. [Copromotor]Berg, M. [Copromotor
A trace element study of sediments from the Olifants River estuary, the Berg River estuary, and the off-shore Mud Belt
No full textIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 99-105).Trace elements have received increased attention since the mid-1900's. Although some studies have investigated trace element accumulation as a result of urban expansion in the Western Cape, South Africa, few have catalogued the accumulation and behavior of trace elements resulting from agricultural practices. This study investigates the distribution and behavior of trace elements for the Olifants and Berg river catchments by focusing on the sediments of the estuaries. The dominant industry in both catchments is agriculture and there exists relatively little urban sprawl. Two sediment samples taken from the offshore mud belt in the vicinity of the two river mouths were also analyzed. The sediments were analyzed for trace elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), major elements using X-ray fluorescent spectroscopy (XRF), total sulfur using XRF, total and organic carbon using a C:H:N analyzer, and grain size analysis was performed (>62 μm, 38-63 μm, 2-38 μm, <2μm). The mud belt cores were dated using 14C dating. Estuarine surface waters were analyzed for trace elements, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature. The trace elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were focused on. The trace element concentrations in the sediments were compared with those of soils that occur in the study area, as well as their parent materials, to determine background concentrations. The concentration profiles of elements with respect to depth are compared with natural deposition rates to recognize signs of recent enrichment of individual trace elements. Inter-element comparisons are made in an attempt to determine speciation. Comparison between the estuarine and mud belt sediments were made to assess the estuaries ability to filter fluvial trace elements, as well as to determine the sediment contributions of the Olifants and Berg rivers to the mud belt. Statistical analysis was performed to"group sediment populations Trace element and organic matter concentrations showed strong positive correlations with fine-sized particles. The mud belt sediments displayed considerably more OC than the estuarine sediments. The trace elements appear to associate predominantly with clay minerals (alumino-silicates), Fe/Mn oxides, and organic matter. Trace element correlations with S and carbonate carbon were also observed. Comparison with estimates of natural deposition rates and compositions of soils occurring in the catchments did not suggest an anthropogenic pollution input. From the data available the estuarine and Mud Belt sediments appear enriched in Cd, Cu and Zn in comparison to the background soils. The estuaries seem to effectively trap Zn and Pb, but do not capture As well. Statistical analysis suggest that, of the rock types considered, the sediments of the Olifants and Berg river estuaries and those of the off shore mud belt are most similar to sediments derived from the Malmesbury and Ecca Groups. The Olifants and Berg rivers are important sources of water for the farming community, as well as for municipal use in the Western Cape. Based on this investigation of the estuarine waters and sediments the rivers appear to be in good health in regards to trace element concentrations
Indução e controle da embriogenese somatica in vitro na goiabeira serrana (feijoa sellowiana Berg)
Get PDFDissertação (Mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciencias BiologicasNo presente trabalho estudaram-se as condições para o estabelecimento, multiplicação e maturação de linhagens celulares embriogenéticas in vitro, a conversão dos ES e a produção de sementes sintéticas, a partir de embriões zigóticos (EZ) de Feijoa sellowiana Berg. Testaram-se também as formulações salinas LPm, MS e WPM, fontes e níveis de aminoácidos e pulsos de 2,4-D. Avaliações histoquímicas e histológicas foram feitas para caracterizar os processos morfogenéticos in vitro. A maior percentagem de indução e o maior número de ES ocorreram nos acessos 101 e 50-4. A formulação salina LPm, adicionada de 2,4-D e Gln, resultou em valores elevados de indução embriogenética. A adição de Asn, Gln ou Arg ao meio LPm resultou em valores elevados de indução e produção de ES. Pulsos de duas semanas com 2,4-D proporcionaram valores comparativos de indução e produção de ES, àqueles obtidos com pulsos de 4 e 8 semanas. Sementes em maturação fisiológica e armazenadas a 4° C por 12 meses, mantiveram alto potencial de indução e produção de ES. Linhagens celulares embriogenéticas foram estabelecidas, multiplicadas e mantidas com alto potencial embriogenético. A dinâmica de crescimento das suspensões celulares revelou um incremento de 21,7 vezes, após 50 dias em meio de cultura LPm contendo 2,4-D e 2iP e quando repicadas para o meio basal geleificado foram induzidas à maturação. A conversão de ES em plântulas foram obtidas em meio basal LPm contendo BAP e/ou GA3. A conversão das sementes sintéticas em plantulas ocorreu em tratamentos contendo KNO3. Estudos histoquímicos e histológicos demonstraram a evolução dos processos morfogênicos in vitro
Fisiologia e metabolismo da embriogênese somática e zigótica de Acca sellowiana (Berg) Burret (MYRTACEAE)
Get PDFDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-graduação em Recursos Genéticos Vegetais, Florianópolis, 2008The Acca sellowiana somatic embryogenesis model system has been extensively studied in the last years. Although somatic embryos are obtained in high frequency and show to be morphologically normal, their conversion rates are still low. The ABA is a plant hormone known to induce a cascade of important events that result in a normal germination The Fluridone (1-metil-3-fenil-5-[3-(trifluormetil)-fenil]-4(1H)-piridinona), is a inhibitor of carotenogenesis, ABA synthesis and derivatives, being compared to GA3 in its physiological effects. Thus, in the present work we attempted to study the role of Fluridone in the conversion of Acca sellowiana somatic embryos. Somatic embryos were from mature zygotic embryos inoculated in LPm culture medium supplemented with maltose (3%); Morel vitamins, phytagel (0.2%), and 2,4 - D (20ìM). Somatic embryos in torpedo, precotyledonary and cotyledonary stages were placed in Petri dishes containing 30 mL of growing medium LPm medium plus sucrose (3%), active charcoal (1.5%), Morel vitamins, and supplemented with BAP (0.5 ìM), GA3 (1 ìM) and Fluridone (0, 1. 5 and 10 ìM). Complementarily to the same basal culture medium with BAP (0.5 ìM), GA3 (1 ìM), 0.25; 0.5; 1; 1.5 and 2ìM of Fluridone was added. The cultures were incubated in culture room at a temperature of 25 ± 2 °C temperature, under photoperiod of 16 h;, and 50 ìmol m-2s-1 light intensity The rate conversion to plantlets was evaluated to 15, 30 and 45 days. The largest rate of embryo conversion resulted from the treatment with 1ìM of Fluridone. The embryo conversion was suppressed in response to Fluridone at 2 and 10 ìM. Acca sellowiana somatic embryos show of sensitivity to Fluridone, thus confirming its antagonism with ABA
Filogeografia e dinâmica da diversidade genética de Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret (Myrtaceae)
Get PDFTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Genéticos Vegetais, Florianópolis, 2014.Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret, conhecida comumente como goiabeira-serrana ou feijoa, é uma Myrtaceae que ocorre na região neotropical da América do Sul. A espécie possui potencial como frutífera, ainda pouco explorado no Brasil, mas bem difundido no exterior. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a diversidade genética em nível de sequências de DNA de cloroplasto (cpDNA) e marcadores microssatélites nucleares (nSSRs) e, com base nesses dados, determinar relações filogeográficas, quantificar diversidade genética, avaliar estrutura genética espacial intrapopulacional, fluxo gênico e o sistema se cruzamento, afim de compreender o cenário evolutivo da espécie e contribuir para sua conservação e melhoramento. Para filogeografia foram sequenciados os espaçadores intergênicos plastidiais trnH-psbA e trnS-trnG em 32 populações, gerando 10 haplótipos. Oito haplótipos estão localizados ao norte da distribuição natural da espécie, em latitudes inferiores a 29o32?S e altitude superior a 500 m, sendo este o centro de maior diversidade da espécie. Foram encontrados indícios de expansão recente na distribuição meridional da espécie, mas isto deve ser comprovado com estudos adicionais, em razao do baixo polimorfismo das sequências analisadas. Visando elucidar esta possível expansão são indicadas análises com marcadores nSSRs. Foram encontrados dois padrões de distribuição da diversidade: i) na região com latitude inferior a 29o32?S a espécie é encontrada em altitude superior a 500 m em associação com a Mata de Araucária, a diversidade é maior e não apresenta expansão recente; ii) a partir de latitudes maiores que 29o65?S, a espécie ocorre abaixo de 400 m, a diversidade é menor e apresenta indícios de expansão recente. Para futuros estudos mais aprofundados em filogeografia foram desenvolvidos 10 novos locos nSSRs. Os novos marcadores apresentaram polimorfismo suficiente para análises genéticas, além de alguns deles serem transferíveis para outras espécies de Myrtaceae. Amostras de plantas de feijoa introduzidas e cultivadas fora da região de ocorrência natural foram caracterizadas através de nSSRs e mostraram uma diversidade restrita, evidenciando um gargalo genético decorrente da dispersão global da espécie a partir de poucos genótipos. Com base nessas análises foi possível verificar a similaridade dos acessos introduzidos com populações que ocorrem na região sul da distribuição natural da espécie. Oito nSSRs apresentaram equilíbrio genotípico e padrão de herança mendeliana, além de ligação genética não significativa, indicando o potencial deste conjunto de locos para a realização de análises como fluxo gênico e sistema de cruzamento. Esses mesmos marcadores foram utilizados para as análises intrapopulacionais, sendo confirmado que a espécie é preferecialmente alógama (tm = 0,895); porém, a área estudada indicou cruzamento entre parentes, que juntamente com o restrito fluxo gênico, levou à distribuição não aleatória dos genótipos e o agrupamento de indivíduos aparentados. Esses fatores contribuíram para a uma significativa estrutura genética espacial (até 54 m). Os resultados demonstram que os níveis atuais de fluxo gênico não são suficientes para evitar efeitos de deriva genética na população analisada. Em conclusão, este estudo gerou conhecimento sobre a história evolutiva de A. sellowiana, assim como sobre sua área de ocorrência, seu possível centro de origem e diversidade, e sua dinâmica da diversidade genética, nos níveis inter- e intra-populacional, trazendo novas informações com grande potencial de contribuir para novos estudos, programas de melhoramento e conservação da espécie.Abstract : Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret, known as feijoa or pineapple-guava, is a Myrtaceae species from the neotropical region of South America. The species has potential for fruit production, which is underexploited in Brazil, but widespread in other countries. The objective of this study was to characterize the genetic diversity at the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequence and nuclear microsatellite marker (nSSR) levels and, based on these data, to determine phylogeographic relations, estimate the genetic diversity, and evaluate intra-population spatial genetic structure, gene flow and mating system, in order to comprehend the species' evolutionary process and contribute to its conservation and breeding. For the phylogeography purposes the plastidial intergenic spacers trnH-psbA and trnS-trnG from plants of 32 populations were sequenced, generating 10 haplotypes. Eight haplotypes were found in the northern area of the species' natural distribution, at latitudes lower than 29o32?S and altitudes higher than 500 m, characterizing the region with the highest genetic diversity. Signatures of recent expansion in the southern portion of the species' distribution were detected, but this should be confirmed with aditional studies, due to the low polymorphism of the analyzed sequences. To address this possible expansion, further analyses with SSR markers are suggested. Two distinct patterns of diversity distribution were found: i) in lower latitudes (<29o32?S) the species is found at altitudes above 500 m, in association with the Araucaria Forest, the genetic diversity is higher and the populations do not show recent expansion; ii) in latitudes higher than 29o65?S, the species occurs at altitudes below 400 m, diversity is lower and there are signatures of recent expansion. Ten new nSSR loci were developed, and these new markers showed sufficient polymorphism for genetic analyses, with some of them being transferable to other Myrtaceae species. Samples of feijoa introduced and cultivated outside the region of natural occurrence were characterized through nSSR markers. The obtained data showed restrict genetic diversity, which indicates the existence of a genetic bottleneck in the global dispersion of the species, which probably started with few genotypes. In addition, it was possible to verify similarity between the introduced material and populations located at the southern portion of the species' natural ocurrence. To characterize intra-population spatial genetic diversity, gene flow and mating system, eight nSSRs were used. These nSSRs presented genetic equilibrium and mendelian inheritance, coupled to negligible genetic linkage, evidencing the potential of this set of loci forthe proposed studies. The intra-population analyses confirmed that the species has outcrossing mating system (tm = 0.895). However, crossings between relatives were found in the studied population, and that coupled to restrict gene flow led to a non-random distribution of genotypes and the clustering of related plants. These results reflect a significant spatial genetic structure (up to 54 m). In addition, the results indicate that current observed levels of gene flow are not sufficient to prevent genetic drift effects in the studied population. In conclusion, this study provided knowledge about the evolutionary history of A. sellowiana, including information about it's area of occurrence, its possible center of origin and diversity, the natural populations in which it occurs, and the dynamics of its genetic diversity, at the inter- and intra-population level, ultimately bringing new information with great potential to contribute to the species' study, breeding and conservation programs
Review of the thesis: “The activities of the Soviet police to combat crime and public protection in Western Siberia in 1925-1937” by D.E. Kuznetsov
No full textThe article analyses the thesis “The activities of the Soviet police to combat crime and protect public order in Western Siberia in 1925-1937” by D.E. Kuznetsov. The structure and logic of the construction of the work, the validity of the conclusions, the merits of the dissertation research and its controversial points are considered. Special attention is paid to the source of the dissertation. In conclusion, the author of the article summaries that the contents of D.E. Kuznetsov's facts, assessments and conclusions can be used to develop textbooks on the history of crime, the history of law enforcement bodies, the history of Russia
Lives writ large: Kabyle self-portraits and the question of identity
No full textItem does not contain fulltextThis chapter discusses the Matoub's book as an example of ethno-autobiographical writing that speaks to issues larger than the events of his personal life. The experience of becoming aware of a separate Berber identity through French education and migration is a recurring theme of Rebelle and many of Matoub's songs. A striking characteristic of his life story is that much of his domestic life remains outside the scope of his memoirs: here and there he praises his beloved mother and briefly mentions his father and sister. The events of the "Berber Spring" constituted a foundation for the Berber movement. Although Lounes Matoub was in France at that time, he gives a detailed account of the events in Tizi Ouzou in April 1980. State repression of the "Berber Spring" provided the Berber Cultural Movement with the occasion for an annual commemoration in Tizi Ouzou, a focal point of the Movement
Post-transition poverty trends based on an alternative data source
Get PDFThis paper analyses a previously unused source of data – the All Media and Product Survey (AMPS) – to arrive at alternative estimates of the post-transition poverty path. The motivations for using this non-official data source are twofold: concern over the comparability of the existing official post-transition datasets – the Income and Expenditure Survey (IES) and Population Census – and a desire to extend analysis of poverty trends beyond 2001. While official data sources are generally preferred for purposes of poverty analysis, the IES and Census collect data at long (five or ten year) intervals, and additional years pass before these datasets become available to the public. The expenditure data contained in the General Household Survey is available annually, although data are captured in a small number of categories that are not very conducive to analysis at the lower end of the income distribution. Analysis on AMPS data confirms the large decline in poverty implied by an increase of R18 billion (in 2000 Rand) in social grant payments between 2000 and 2004. The direction of this trend is consistent with recent research findings based on more frequently analysed data sources, including the work done by Agüero, Carter and May (2005), Seekings (2006), and Meth (2006).Poverty, Inequality, Income distribution Analysis, South Africa
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