Ethnoagronomy and ethnogastronomy: On indigenous typology and use of biological resources

Indigenous systems of recognition and classification of plants and arthropods are based on local criteria of relationship and contrast. Both inherent intellectual interest and utility considerations play a part in the choice of distinguishing features emphasized. In distinguishing among non-cultivated plants informants display awareness of life habits and morphological features that have little direct bearing on agronomic properties. In discriminating among harmless arthropods, physiological/behavioral attributes are emphasized. When the tasks include cultivated plants and harmful arthropods, functional criteria tend to dominate with respect to plant discrimination while negative human-directed effects are emphasized with respect to arthropods. Focusing on rice varieties, the discrimination criteria used are significantly gastronomic. One implication is that there is a need to broaden our perspective on farmers to admit a view of them as consumers rather than just as producers and to take their gastronomic preferences into account in breeding cultivars that have improved agronomic and market performance. In terms of integrated pest management, there is a need for taking stock of indigenous knowledge before any attempt to supplant it with “scientific” information is initiated. In sum, more serious attention needs to be paid to “ethnoagronomy” and “ethnogastronomy” — cognized models in the spheres of production and consumption — in order to design and promote agricultural recommendations that have a better chance of passing through the preattentive filters and being deliberately considered by farmers for their possible merits.     

Differential cytotoxicity of the isolated protein fraction of Escumite bean (Phaseolus acutifolius)

The Escumite bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) is an edible legume which in raw form is highly toxic to rats. Proteins were separated by DEAE cellulose and affinity chromatography. Hemagglutinating activity, trypsin inhibitory effect, cytotoxicity on human peripheral lymphocytes and on intestinal epithelial cells of rats, and mitogenic activity were assayed with each protein fraction. Hemagglutinins and trypsin inhibitory fractions showed differential toxicity with lymphocytes as compared to intestinal epithelial cells. A protein fraction without the previous activities was cytotoxic mainly to intestinal epithelial cells.     

Differential diagnosis ofVerticillium dahliae in potato with antisera to partially purified pathogen-produced extracellular antigens

Summary An extracellular protein-lipopolysaccaride antigen (PLP) was purified from culture fluids ofVerticillium dahliae. Antiserum produced in rabbits to the PLP detected the antigen in homogenates of tubers, stems and leaves ofV. dahliae-infected potato plants but not in extracts of healthy potato tissue or extracts of potato plants infected by other fungal pathogens. The antigen was not detectable in extracts of potato isolates ofV. tricorpus, V. nigrescens andV. nubilum or various other fungi. The antigen was shown to be different from cross-reactive antigens detected by antisera to mycelial antigens. When used as a tool for specific diagnosis ofV. dahliae infection in potato, antiserum to PLP was more reliable than that prepared against fungal body antigens. Publication of the Agricultural Research Organization No 245-E.     

Topographical surveying for improved assessment of sediment retention in check dams applied to a Mediterranean badlands restoration site (Central Spain)

Purpose

The effects of check dams used in restoration projects have been discussed in a number of papers in recent years. This paper studies the effectiveness of retaining sediments from check dams constructed in the badlands restoration site of Tórtoles, located in the Corneja River basin (Spain), using a new topographical method.

Materials and methods

In order to assess the sediment-retaining capacity of the check dams, we measured the volume of sediment trapped by 15 of the 123 check dams built in 1965. We carried out a detailed topographical survey using a Total Station, with an accuracy of ±1 cm, to measure cross sections of the sediment trapped by each check dam. The results were then compared with those of two simplified methods which consider the volume of retained sediment as a simple geometric figure.

Results and discussion

According to our results, 258 m³ of sediment has been retained by the check dams. These results show a significant discrepancy between the topographical method and the two other methods, whose values are consistently lower (14 to 20 %). According to our survey, the mean value for the volume of sediment retained by each check dam is 17.23 m³, versus 13.86 and 14.74 m³ when applying the other methods. Although there is a strong correlation between the volume of retained sediment computed by the topographical method and the other two methods (r ² from 0.96 to 0.94), the differences between them increase with the increasing size of the check dams. Therefore, total differences are expected to be more significant with larger check dams. The erosion rates, calculated on the basis of the retained sediment in the Tórtoles check dams, are 16–21 % lower when using the simpler methods. The bed slopes of the streams were reduced 12.44 % because of the presence of the check dams.

Conclusions

After having completed a more detailed topographical survey of the sediment trapped in the check dams, our results are more likely to estimate erosion rates and sediment yield correctly, thus leading to a better understanding of the effects of check dams on badlands restoration.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF A SKULL BASE CHORDOMA IN A CAT

An 8‐year‐old domestic short‐haired cat was presented with anorexia, lethargy, ataxia and one episode of consciousness loss. A midline vertically orientated, biconcave, extra‐axial mass originating from the basioccipital bone was detected on magnetic resonance images of the head. The mass was T1W iso‐ to hypointense when compared with normal grey matter, T2W hyperintense with small areas of isointensity and heterogeneously enhanced with contrast. Multiple signal voids were observed on T2^* images. Histopathological evaluation confirmed a chordoma. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of the imaging characteristics of a chordoma affecting the skull base in a cat.     

Porous Materials Modified with Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Nanoparticles for Arsenic Removal in Drinking Water

The contamination of drinking water with arsenic has been a problem in a lot of countries around the world because of its toxicological and carcinogenic effects on human health. Porous materials modified with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) represent convenient removers for that contaminant. A co-precipitation method of Fe(III) and Fe(II) in alkaline media was applied to obtain Fe₃O₄ NPs. In a first stage, single nanoparticles were synthesized and stabilized with carboxylic acids. A characterization with attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms a magnetite-type structure. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and calculations from XRD data using Scherrer’s equation indicate an average particle size of 13 nm and an average crystallite size of 10 nm, both independent of the stabilizer used. Then, the co-precipitation method studied was applied to modify kaolin, bentonite, diatomite, and silica and thus prepare magnetic composites having support-magnetite weight ratios of 2:1. Among them, silica-modified material presented the best hydraulic characteristics, an important aspect for large-scale applications such as removal under gravity. This composite has the capacity to remove up to 80 and 70% for initial concentrations of 25 and 50 μg/L, respectively, representing a convenient remover for processes developed in subsequent stages or in continuous flow.