Genetic diversity in wild diploid wheat T. urartu revealed by SSR markers

Genetic diversity of 74 T. urartu genotypes was studied using 11 SSR (simple sequence repeats) markers. The number of alleles ranged from 4 to 15, with an average of 8 alleles per primer. The mean values for the expected heterozygosity (He) and polymorphism information content (PIC) over all loci and populations were 0.56 and 0.52, respectively. From a geographic viewpoint the higher diversities were observed in Jordan, followed by Syria and Turkey. Diversity revealed within countries was higher than among them, even in the same regions of the relevant countries. The analysis of molecular variance revealed that most of the genetic variability was accounted for by differences within populations (90%), with less variability among them (10%). The dendrogram generated based on Nei’s dissimilarity matrix revealed three main clusters for which the grouping patterns were not clearly associated with the geographic origins, indicating the gene flow among different countries. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) confirmed subgrouping obtained by cluster analysis. In general, genetic distances between geographic regions were low or moderate, which was also supported by low values of pairwise Fst. Our findings can direct the sampling strategies on T. urartu in studied regions to find beneficial alleles. The heterotic groups detected by cluster and PCoA analysis in the present study can serve as effective candidates in crossing programs to broaden the genetic base in T. urartu

Mainstreaming Of Disaster Risk Analysis Into Gabala District Development Planning

Gabala district is located in a disaster prone part of Azerbaijan. Current natural and social conditions in Gabala make children very vulnerable. In addition preparedness level of schools is rather low that reduce capacity of local schools to meet hazards without human and material losses. Mainstreaming, in the context of disaster risks is the practice of supporting communities through land planning and development. This means that regular development process should take into consideration disaster risks, reducing risk level in a particular area.“Risk informed development programming” is the approach, according to which development interventions (ie building new schools and hospitals, building roads, bridges and communication lines, expanding cities and communities, building factories etc.) support risk reduction measures. For example, road constructions take into account all hazards possible hazards (ie landslides, floods, rockfalls, etc.) and relevant measures are incorporated during the construction period to minimize possible impact in the future

Evaluation of Factors Contributing to Floods in the Outlet Part of the Kura River, Azerbaijan

Flow regulation has long been thought as the most effective method for the flood prevention. However, this experience has shown its limitations over the last few decades when the strong floods have been observed in regulated rivers. Since most of rivers have been highly affected by human activities, there are obvious changes in the genesis and nature of floods. Floods at the mouth part of the Kura River are observed as a combined result of climatic and non-climatic factors. Climatic factors directly impact flood characteristics-peak, duration and volume. Main climatic factors of floods in the Kura River include intense snowmelt episodes and intense rain as well as Caspian Sea level changes. Non-climatic factors include changes in land use, deforestation, erosion, flow regulation, water withdrawals and channel siltation. Over the past century, there is an increased contribution of non climatic factors to the flood formation processes in the Kura River. At the same time channel siltation has increased the role of non-climatic factors. In addition, the Caspian Sea level rise became additional contribution to the level rise in the mouth area that causes backwater propagation on the free surface. Due to the channel siltation and the backwater propagation at the mouth reach, floods may occur even during lower discharges characterized with longer durations

TEEB Scoping study for forestry sector of Azerbaijan

The aim of the FLEG II Program is to promote sustainable forest governance, management, and protection of forests in the participating countries, including Azerbaijan. The program supports forest governance through enhancing forest policy, legislation and institutional arrangements, and implementing sustainable forest management models on a pilot basis. This TEEB scoping study, as a part of the FLEG II program, makes a preliminary analysis of the ecosystem services provided by forested areas in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijanis consider forests to be one of the most valuable natural resources in their country. It is estimated that the total area of forests and scrublands in Azerbaijan is more than 860,000 ha, most of which are located in mountain areas. Riparian and plain forests in Azerbaijan only occupy areas, where the groundwater table is rather close to the surface that may permanently supply trees with water. Forests in Azerbaijan provide a broad range of ecosystem services. In most of the rural areas, fuelwood is a major source of energy. Also, forested watersheds are the only source of drinking water for all of the population in Azerbaijan that live in mountain regions. In addition, forested mountain areas are the preferred recreational areas for tourists in Azerbaijan. In order to analyze the ecosystem services of forests, “Business as Usual” (BAU) and “Sustainable Ecosystem Management” (SEM) analytical approaches have been used. Under BAU management, nonsustained use of natural resources is understood, that gives only short-term gains. In this type of management, some stakeholders may maximize their benefits for short-term periods, causing substantial damages to ecosystems and, in this way, negatively affecting financial and social conditions of other stakeholders. Under the SEM management, economic benefits are maximized through planned and integrated use of natural resources. While economic benefits of some stakeholders under the SEM may be minimized for short-term periods, over the long-term periods, economic gains for all types of stakeholders are increased and sustained. Evaluation of the current state of the forestry sector and its policy context enables us to understand existing challenges and perspectives (TEEB foundations, 2010). The traditional BAU practices in Azerbaijan include illegal logging, unsustainable tourism, overgrazing and other activities. In addition, the impacts of climate changes are considered as a BAU practice, since it has mostly been recognized as the human induced phenomena. SEM is taken as an alternative policy to the BAU. All-inclusive analyses of alternative policies (BAU vs. SEM), including their impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services is given. These analyses describe advantages of SEM practices over the long-term periods. This study also identifies key elements for a full TEEB study, including a roadmap of activities, and a list of important outputs to be delivered in such a study

Diels–Alder–Initiated Organocascades Employing Acylammonium Catalysis: Scope, Mechanism, and Application

Following the turn of the millennium, the role of asymmetric covalent organocatalysis has developed into a scalable, synthetic paradigm galvanizing the synthetic community toward utilization of these methods for more practical, metal–free syntheses of natural products. A myriad of reports on asymmetric organocatalytic modes of substrate activation relying on small, exclusively organic molecules are delineating what has now become the multifaceted field of organocatalysis paving the way to a vast array of reaction types. α,β–Unsaturated acylammonium salts, generated in situ from commodity acid chlorides and a chiral isothiourea organocatalyst, comprise a new and versatile family of chiral dienophiles for the venerable Diels–Alder (DA) cycloaddition. Their reactivity is unveiled through a highly diastereo– and enantioselective Diels–Alder/lactonization organocascade that generates cis– and trans–fused bicyclic γ– and δ–lactones bearing up to five contiguous stereocenters. Moreover, the first examples of DA–initiated, stereodivergent organocascades are described delivering complex oxa–bridged trans–fused tricyclic γ–lactams found in bioactive compounds. An evaluation of various experimental and computational parameters was performed in order to derive a more detailed understanding of what renders this process selective. The utility of this methodology is showcased through a concise approach to the core structures of glaciolide, isatisine A and nonpeptidyl ghrelin–receptor inverse agonists, and formal syntheses of indoprofen, dihydrocompactin, fraxinellone, trisporic acids, and trisporols

Income Inequality, Distributive Justice, and Sustainable Development: Implications for Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Global Geopark

The rising inequalities across the world, including in Canada, present a challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the auspices of UNESCO, supporting the implementation of SDGs is one of the main missions of geoparks. It has been shown that geoparks can foster the implementation of SDG 10 (reducing inequalities), but there is a dearth of studies specifically exploring the means and channels through which a geopark can help reduce income inequality. This study aims to fill that gap by exploring income inequality in the Niagara region through the lens of distributive justice with a focus on the role of Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Global Geopark (NPAGG) in reducing income inequality in Niagara. This study employs a qualitative research approach to collect data via 16 semi-structured interviews with the NPAGG board of directors, people who are advocating for poverty alleviation and reduction of inequalities in Niagara, and local tourism-related business owners. Thematic analysis was conducted on the collected data to explore the role of the NPAGG in addressing income inequality in the Niagara region. All the participants agreed that the income inequality in Niagara is unfair and needs to be addressed. The results of the thematic analysis show that in the pursuit of more equitable distribution in Niagara, the NPAGG can present economic benefits – with a direct yet incremental impact on income inequality – and societal benefits – with indirect yet necessary implications for addressing income inequality. There are two main limiting factors identified for the NPAGG’s role in battling income disparities: 1) it is not the primary objective of the NPAGG, and 2) the problem of income inequality is much bigger than the NPAGG. Moreover, inflation, negative environmental impacts, and dependence on tourism were identified as minor risks associated with the NPAGG development. Although the findings of this study may not be generalized to other geoparks around the world, they offer understanding of what to expect from geoparks in addressing income disparities

Assessment of Ecosystem Services of Water Reservoirs/HPP dams in the Kura-Araz Basin

This study focuses on freshwater ecosystem services that support hydropower plants (HPP)/dams development in the Kura-Aras River Basin in Azerbaijan. The study assesses the HPP/dams sector, and reviews additional sectors including nature-based tourism, irrigated agriculture, and drinkable water supply. In addition, the study briefly discusses the role and value of ES that help to mitigate natural hazards related to poor ecosystems management. The study used a basic Targeted Scenario Analysis (TSA) approach. The TSA assesses current “business as usual (BAU)” ecosystems management practices and its current value of ecosystems services under BAU. It uses sector output indicators and compares with potential “sustainable ecosystems management (SEM)” outputs to assess losses and potential gains (or losses) of shifting from BAU to SEM. The BAU approach is characterized by a focus on short-term gains (e.g., < 10 years), externalization of impacts and their costs, and little or no recognition of the economic value of ES, which are typically depleted or degraded. Under SEM, the focus is on long-term gains (> 10 years); also under SEM, the costs of impacts are internalized. Ecosystem services are maintained, thus generating potential for a long-term flow of ecosystem goods and services that can enter into decision making. SEM practices tend to support ecosystem sustainability as a practical and cost-effective way to realize long-run profits

Fredholm quasi-linear manifolds and degree of Fredholm quasi-linear mapping between them

In this article a new class of Banach manifolds and a new class of mappings between them are presented and also the theory of degree of such mappings is given.Представлено новий клас многовидів Банаха та новий клас відображень між ними, а також наведено теорію степеня таких відображень