Indigenous worldviews and Western conventions: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sumak Kawsay</Emphasis> and cocoa production in Ecuadorian Amazonia

This article explores the role of conventions in the normalization of cocoa production in Ecuadorian Amazonia. Convention theory provides key theoretical tools for understanding coordination among agents. However, conventions must be understood as cultural constructions with a strong Eurocentric background that must be substantially modified in originally non-European contexts. A creative application of convention theory can partially overcome bifurcation among Western and non-Western rationalities. First, it shows that Western values and forms of coordination are heterogeneous, conflictive and opposing. Second, it provides key insight for understanding the transformation of subaltern subjectivities generated from non-Western rationalities that are closely associated with subjugated knowledges. Third, in applying the concept of compromise, it allows one to understand cognitive hybridization and coordination among indigenous and Western agents and thus the complexities of processes of resistance, subversion and empowerment carried by indigenous communities. This article is focused on how cocoa production in Ecuadorian Amazonia serves as an example of the confluence and coordination of indigenous (using the concept of “Good Living” or Sumak Kawsay) and Western conventions. The assertion of Sumak Kawsay is understood as a relevant transformation of Ecuadorian post-colonial relations. It is shown that relevant industrial upgrading processes are justified by, among others, Sumak Kawsay repertoires. Additionally, dialogue on knowledge and compromise among conventions, and especially concerning Sumak Kawsay and the market, have been key facets shaping the development of a differentiated quality strand that has promoted relevant changes in the subaltern positioning of indigenous farmers in the cocoa commodity chain.     

A comparative physiologico-genetical study of activities of some enzymes in a heterotic single cross hybrid of maize (Zea mays L.)

Summary In field trials conducted over three growth seasons I studied the differences in activities of the enzymes: polyphenoloxidase, ascorbateoxidase and peroxidase, with a heterotic single-cross hybrid of maize and its pollen-sterile analogue. Additional observations were made for differences between the single-cross hybrids and their parental lines. The samples (staminate spikelets) were taken at random just before and after tasselling. Significant differences could be established concerning the object set. Comparison of the self-pollinating line of maize with the pollen-sterile analogue revealed the down ward trend in peroxidase (P) activity with the pollen-sterile line; the upward trend in polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity and the downward trend in ascorbateoxidase (A) activity were observed with the pollen-sterile line before tasselling. After tasselling, activity of PPO showed a downward and that of A an upward trend. The single-crospollen-sterile hybrid revealed, compared to the parental lines, an upward trend in its PPO and A activities before tasselling and a downward trend in the same enzymes after tasselling; while activity of P in this single-cross, pollen-sterile hybrid indicated the downward trend in general. Compared with the parental forms, the pollen-fertile hybrid of maize showed a trend towards lower activities of the studied enzymes for all seasons and periods under observation. Comparing results in the single-cross hybrids there was an indication of higher activities of PPO and A in the pollen-sterile analogue; whereas the same analogue revealed a lower activity of P before tasselling and higher value after tasselling.     

Investigation on acoustic behavior and air permeability of struto nonwovens

This work deals with the study of acoustic performance of struto nonwovens and their relation to fabric air permeability. In order to achieve the objective of the research, sound absorption coefficient of struto nonwovens was determined via impedance tube method, the average value of sound absorption coefficient (α?) was calculated. Air permeability of struto nonwovens was examined by using FX3300 Textech Air Permeability Tester. Results showed that struto nonwoven exhibited good absorption ability at frequency bands 3000-6400 Hz while it was ineffective for frequency lower than 3000 Hz. Struto nonwovens with high GSM and fabric thickness showed better acoustic performance and lower air permeability. It was observed that α? was inversely proportional to air permeability, with correlation coefficient 0.95. It was concluded that air permeability can be used as a criterion of sound absorption behavior of struto nonwovens. A lower air permeability suggests a better sound absorption performance for struto nonwoven fabrics.     

The ecosystem services concept: a new Esperanto to facilitate participatory planning processes?

Landscape Ecology - Several case studies investigated the role of ecosystem services in participatory planning processes. However, no systematic study exists that cuts across a large number of...     

Saliva chromogranin A in growing pigs: A study of circadian patterns during daytime and stability under different storage conditions

Salivary chromogranin A (CgA) is considered to be a biomarker of activation of the sympatho-adrenomedullary system, and has recently been proposed as a useful indicator of the acute stress response in pigs. The aim of the present study was to determinate whether salivary CgA concentrations in healthy growing pigs exhibits any circadian pattern during the daytime, and to evaluate its stability under different storage conditions. A total of 80 pigs (40 in spring and another 40 in autumn) of two different ages and genders were used. To establish the circadian pattern, saliva samples were collected at 07.00, 11.00, 15.00 and 19.00 h on two consecutive days. Pooled samples were used for the stability study and were measured on the day of sampling and periodically for up to 360 days later. Samples were stored at 4 °C, ?20 °C or ?80 °C and the effect of repeated freezing and thawing was also evaluated.No circadian pattern was detected for salivary CgA in either season and there were no significant effects of gender or age. However, mean salivary CgA concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in the pigs sampled in autumn, compared to those sampled in the spring. Short term storage at 4 °C is recommended for up to 2 days, whereas frozen samples can be stored for 1 year at ?20 °C or ?80 °C, without substantial reduction in CgA values. In addition, samples can be frozen and thawed up to seven times without significant loss of the biomarker.     

Radial variation in sap flow in five laurel forest tree species in Tenerife,Canary Islands

Variations in radial patterns of xylem water content and sap flow rate were measured in five laurel forest tree species (Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco, Persea indica (L.) Spreng., Myrica faya Ait., Erica arborea L. and Ilex perado Ait. ssp. platyphylla (Webb & Berth.) Tutin) growing in an experimental plot at Agua García, Tenerife, Canary Islands. Measurements were performed around midday during warm and sunny days by the heat field deformation method. In all species, water content was almost constant (around 35% by volume) over the whole xylem cross-sectional area. There were no differences in wood color over the whole cross-sectional area of the stem in most species with the exception of E. arborea, whose wood became darker in the inner layers. Radial patterns of sap flow were highly variable and did not show clear relationships with tree diameter or species. Sap flow occurred over the whole xylem cross-sectional area in some species, whereas it was limited to the outer xylem layers in others. Sap flow rate was either similar along the xylem radius or exhibited a peak in the outer part of the xylem area. Low sap flow rates with little variation in radial pattern were typical for shaded suppressed trees, whereas dominant trees exhibited high sap flow rates with a peak in the radial pattern. Stem damage resulted in a significant decrease in sap flow rate in the outer xylem layers. The outer xylem is more important for whole tree water supply than the inner xylem because of its larger size. We conclude that measurement of radial flow pattern provides a reliable method of integrating sap flow from individual measuring points to the whole tree.     

Mapping of genes involved in glutathione, carbohydrate and COR14b cold induced protein accumulation during cold hardening in wheat

Using some of the chromosome substitution lines developed from thecrosses of the donor Cheyenne to Chinese Spring we showed that theaccumulation of water soluble carbohydrates during different stages ofhardening was time dependent. Moreover there was a significantcorrelation between the rate of carbohydrate accumulation and the frosttolerance. The expression and regulation of a wheat gene homologous tothe barley cold regulated cor14b gene was compared in frost sensitiveand frost tolerant wheat genotypes at different temperatures. Studies madewith chromosome substitution lines showed that the threshold inductiontemperature polymorphism of the cor14b wheat homologous genewas controlled by loci located on chromosome 5A of wheat, while cor14b gene was mapped, in Triticum monococcum, onto the longarm of chromosome 2A^m. Our study on the effect of cold hardeningon glutathione (GSH) metabolism showed that chromosome 5A of wheathas an influence on the GSH accumulation and on the ratio of reduced andoxidised glutathione as part of a complex regulatory function during coldhardening. In addition, the level of increase in GSH content duringhardening may indicate the degree of the frost tolerance of wheat.     

Supplementation of Citric Acid and Amino Acid Chelated Trace Elements in Low‐Fish Meal Diet for Rainbow Trout Affect Growth and Phosphorus Utilization

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of citric acid (CA) and amino acid chelated trace elements (AA) on the growth, phosphorus (P) utilization efficiency and loading in rainbow trout fed a diet formulated with a low‐fish meal (FM) concentration. A low‐FM basal diet with or without monocalcium phosphate supplementation served as positive and negative control correspondingly. Dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet supplemented either with 1% CA, AA (equivalent to 40 Zn, 20 Mn, and 4 Cu mg/Kg of diet instead of inorganic trace element mix) or a combination of both. Duplicate groups of 35 fish (13.2 g) were fed until apparent satiation during 12 wk. Group of fish fed diets supplemented with 1% CA or AA had a final growth and feed utilization similar to that observed in fish fed the positive control diet (P > 0.05). P absorption was increased with the addition of CA or AA. P retention efficiency rates for these diets were higher in comparison with the rest of the treatments consequently showing the lowest P loading values (P < 0.05). The results indicate that addition of 1% CA or AA, to a low‐FM diet without inorganic P supplementation enhanced fish growth, P retention, and decreased P load to the environment.     

Acid-base equilibrium in the blood in cattle in relation to the incidence of DFD (dark, firm, dry) meat

We studied changes in the parameters of the acid-base balance of the blood in cattle before animal transport to the slaughterhouses, after transport, after stunning and before bleeding. At the same time we studied the occurrence of DFD meat by measuring the pH value of the muscle and by determining the meat color. We found out that the disorder of acid-base balance was less manifest, with respect to the large capacity of the buffer systems of the blood, than the changes caused by glycogenolysis in the muscle.     

Changes in proacrosin levels during preservation of ram semen

The percentual change in the content of pro-acrosin taking place in ram semen preserved for a short and long time was examined in the period from April to October. Two diluents for keeping semen at the temperature of 16 degrees C and one diluent for keeping semen at 3 to 4 degrees C were used in short-time preservation. The content of pro-acrosin was measured 2, 8 and 12 hours after dilution. The lactoso-yolk diluent and the diluent after Milovanov (1980) were used for cryopreservation. The content of pro-acrosin was examined before and after semen freezing. In short-time preservation, no statistically significant decrease of pro-acrosin content was demonstrated in the H Milch diluent (Peter, 1975) at the storage temperature of 16 degrees C and in the diluent after Milovanov (1980) at the temperature of 3 to 4 degrees C. In the diluent prepared after Milovanov (1980) a significant decrease of pro-acrosin content during preservation was recorded at the storage temperature of 16 degrees C. When the short-time preservation diluents were compared, significant differences in pro-acrosin content were found between them. In the long-time preservation diluents a significant difference in pro-acrosin content was found before and after semen freezing; the difference between the short- and long-time preservation diluents was also significant. A positive correlation was found between sperm activity and pro-acrosin content.