The Embeddedness of Collective Action in Nepalese Community Forestry

Collective action by local communities has been recognised as crucial for effective management of natural resources, particularly the management of forests in rural settings in developing countries. However, the processes and outcomes of collective action in forest management are often analysed through a narrow rational choice model, ignoring the impacts of wider social, political and economic processes in conditioning peoples’ decisions to act (or not to act) collectively. Optimistic assumptions are made for collective action being instrumental to enhance both social and ecological outcomes, but there is a paucity of empirical evidence on how and why the condition of forests has improved (or deteriorated) under collective action, and what impacts the change in forest condition has on various groups within local communities. This study critically examines the emergence, evolution and outcomes of collective action in a case of community forestry in Nepal. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods has been used to collect primary data from the forest, households, key informants and focus groups. The emergence and outcomes of collective action is found to be embedded in social, economic and political relationships, where powerful actors control the use of forests in order to ensure conservation, thereby resulting in the underutilisation of forest products. Poor users, who depend heavily on forests, are found to be worse off economically under community forestry, but still engage in collective action for a variety of socio-political reasons. This contradicts the conventional wisdom which assumes that people only cooperate when they benefit from cooperation. It is concluded that a deeper understanding of the embeddedness of community forestry is needed in order to achieve the potential of collective action.

A simulation model of a breeding ewe flock

A simulation model was constructed of a self-replacing flock of Merino ewes grazing a predominantly Wimmera ryegrass and subterranean clover pasture in the Eppalock catchment of northern Victoria, Australia. The model was used to predict the likely physical, biological and economic consequences of changes in stocking rate and date of lambing.Routines for simulating the local climate, together with expected levels of pasture production, were based on available local data. The herbage produced was utilised for animal maintenance, growth, pregnancy, lactation and wool production. Predictions were made of the ovulation and fertilisation rates of the breeding ewes and the subsequent survival of embryos and lambs. Lamb growth rates were determined relative to their predicted intake levels of milk and herbage.The economic consequences of different combinations of ewe stocking rate and date of lambing were evaluated by simulating the cash flow of the property. Financial returns were obtained from the sale of wool, cast-for-age and culled ewes, and wether lambs.     

Encapsulated nitrate replacing soybean meal changes in vitro ruminal fermentation and methane production in diets differing in concentrate to forage ratio

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using encapsulated nitrate product (ENP) replacing soybean meal in diets differing in concentrate to forage ratio on ruminal fermentation and methane production in vitro using a semi‐automatic gas production technique. Eight treatments were used in a randomized complete design with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement: two diet (20C:80F and 80C:20F concentrate to forage ratio) and four levels of ENP addition (0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% of DM) replacing soybean meal. There was a diet × ENP interaction (p = 0.02) for methane production. According to ENP addition, diets with 80C:20F showed more intense reduction on methane production that 20C:80F. A negative linear effect was observed for propionate production with ENP addition in diet with 80C:20F and to the relative abundance of methanogens Archaea, in both diet. The replacement of soybean meal by ENP in levels up to 3% of DM inhibited methane production due to a reduction in the methanogens community without affecting the organic matter degradability. However, ENP at 4.5% of DM level affected fiber degradability, abundance of cellulolytic bacteria, and propionic acid production, indicating that this level of inclusion is not recommended for ruminant production.     

First report on the distribution of microsporidian infections of browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) populations in Bulgaria

The distribution of microsporidian infections of browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) populations in Bulgaria was studied. Of the 72 browntail moth populations in the regions of Balkan, Sredna Gora, Sakar Mountains, and Rodope Mountains, 21 were infected by Microsporidia. The Microsporidia belong to two genera – Nosema (Dihaplophasea, Nosematidae) and Endoreticulatus (Haplophasea, Encephalitozoonidae). Microsporidial infections caused by a Nosema were found in 14 populations, by an Endoreticulatus in 8 populations, and mixed infections of Nosema and Endoreticulatus were recorded from 3 populations. Endoreticulatus was present in Balkan, Sredna Gora, and the Sakar Mountains. Nosema infections were found in Sakar Mountains and Rodope, and mixed infections were recorded only from the Sakar Mountain populations.     

The effect of Cryphonectria parasitica on water relations of American chestnut

Chestnut blight has commonly been regarded as a phloem disease due to conspicuous stem cankers that result from infection by the fungal pathogen Cryphonectria (Endothia) parasitica. Stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration rate (E) and leaf water potential were measured throughout the day on leaves distal to naturally-occurring virulent (sunken bark with abundant stromata) or hypovirulent (swollen bark lacking stromata) cankers and cankers induced by inoculation with virulent or hypovirulent strains of C. parasitica. Relative to control stems, hydraulic conductivity (K_h), g_s and E were reduced significantly (α = 0·05) for both natural virulent cankers, and cankers that were induced by a virulent strain. These effects were less pronounced for both natural and induced hypovirulent cankers. Isolation experiments revealed that the percentage of xylem tissue chips yielding C. parasitica was greater for virulent than for hypovirulent cankers. The data provide evidence that the localized presence of C. parasitica in cankers of American chestnut results in stomatal closure, possibly as a direct result of xylem dysfunction.     

First report on the distribution of microsporidian infections of browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) populations in Bulgaria

The distribution of microsporidian infections of browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) populations in Bulgaria was studied. Of the 72 browntail moth populations in the regions of Balkan, Sredna Gora, Sakar Mountains, and Rodope Mountains, 21 were infected by Microsporidia. The Microsporidia belong to two genera – Nosema (Dihaplophasea, Nosematidae) and Endoreticulatus (Haplophasea, Encephalitozoonidae). Microsporidial infections caused by a Nosema were found in 14 populations, by an Endoreticulatus in 8 populations, and mixed infections of Nosema and Endoreticulatus were recorded from 3 populations. Endoreticulatus was present in Balkan, Sredna Gora, and the Sakar Mountains. Nosema infections were found in Sakar Mountains and Rodope, and mixed infections were recorded only from the Sakar Mountain populations.     

Heat tolerance in naturalized Brazilian cattle breeds

Research carried out at the Sucupira Farm of Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, in Brasilia-DF, aimed to evaluate heat tolerance in five naturalized and two exotic breeds of cattle, at different temperatures and humidity, based upon physiological and blood parameters. The data collected included heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), and sweating rate (SR). Blood was also collected for hemogram analysis and cortisol level. The measurements were taken at 7 am and at 2 pm after the animals were exposed to the sun, with water ad libitum. This procedure was repeated for six days, three in the middle of the dry season when temperatures and humidity were lower and three at the start of the rainy season when temperatures and humidity were higher. Significant statistical differences were observed in RR and HR for day, breed and animal within breed. The analysis indicated that the Junqueira and Nellore breeds are most adapted to climatic conditions in Brasilia; while Mocho Nacional and Holstein breeds were the least adapted. Although sample size is limited, these results are important to identify which breeds are most resistant towards climatic variations observed in the Brasilia region, as well as which physiological parameters are the most indicated for use in animal breeding programs intended to select animals and breeds adapted to thermal stress conditions.     

Multiple myeloma in 16 cats: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: There is limited published information regarding feline multiple myeloma. Diagnostic criteria are derived from canine studies and to our knowledge, have not been critically reviewed for cats. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings in cats with multiple myeloma and appraise diagnostic criteria. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of medical records was performed. Inclusion required an antemortem diagnosis of multiple myeloma using 2 of 4 criteria: 1) >or=20% plasma cells in the bone marrow, or >or=10% if atypical plasma cells; 2) paraproteinemia; 3) radiographically-evident osteolysis; 4) light chain proteinuria. Alternatively, a postmortem diagnosis was based on the findings of multiple plasma cell neoplasms, with marrow involvement. RESULTS: Sixteen cats were diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 1996 and 2004, with a median age of 14.0 years; 9 of 16 (56%) were castrated males, and 7 of 16 (44%) were spayed females. Laboratory abnormalities included hyperglobulinemia (14/16, 87.5%), with 11/14 (78.5%) monoclonal and 3/14 (21.4%) biclonal gammopathies; hypoalbuminemia (4/16, 25%); light chain proteinuria, (4/9, 44.4%); hypocholesterolemia (11/16, 68.7%); hypercalcemia, (3/15, 20%); nonregenerative anemia, (11/16, 68.7%); regenerative anemia, (1/16, 6.2%); neutropenia (5/15, 33.3%); thrombocytopenia (8/16, 50%); and marrow plasmacytosis (14/15, 93.3%). Plasma cells were markedly immature, atypical, or both in 10 of 12 (83.3%) cats. Focal or multifocal osteolysis was noted in 6 of 12 (50%) cats for which radiographs were available for review; generalized osteopenia was found in 1 (8.3%) cat. Noncutaneous, extramedullary tumors were found in all cats assessed, 7/7 (100%), including spleen (6), liver (3), and lymph nodes (4). The disease in 1 of 2 cats with cutaneous tumors progressed to plasmacytic leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: Common findings in feline multiple myeloma include atypical plasma cell morphology, hypocholesterolemia, anemia, bone lesions, and multi-organ involvement. Based on the results of this study, we advocate modifying diagnostic criteria in cats to include consideration of plasma cell morphology and visceral organ infiltration.     

Classification of myeloid neoplasms: a comparative review

Classification of myeloid neoplasms in veterinary medicine was modeled in the early 1990s after French-American-British and National Cancer Institute systems used in human medicine. Recently our physician counterparts, in collaboration with oncologists, constructed a new World Health Organization (WHO) standard. WHO revisions lower the blast threshold from 30% to 20% for diagnosing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and expand and redefine AML categories. AML is now subdivided into 4 broad groups: 1) AML with recurrent genetic abnormalities, 2) AML with multilineage dysplasia, 3) AML with previous chemotherapy and/or radiation, and 4) AML, not otherwise categorized. AML alphanumeric designations (M1, M2, etc) have been discontinued as numbers of subtypes have increased. The lower blast percentage eliminates one category of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS): refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation. A new MDS category was created: refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD), with lineage dysplasia assessed using newly defined percentage limits. At least 10% of cells from each of 2 lineages must display atypia for a diagnosis of RCMD. That threshold is 50% for diagnosing AML with multilineage dysplasia. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia has been removed from the MDS category and included in a new category of diseases that have features of both MDS and chronic leukemia. WHO revisions are a signal to veterinary clinical pathologists to assess the validity of our system, which was built on premises now questioned.