The Tourist

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-ps/1947/thumbnail.jp

Microclimate modification to improve productivity of ‘Carmen®-Hass’ avocado orchards using shadenet under subtropical conditions of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Master of Agriculture in Agrometeorology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2016.The agricultural environment is a complex and dynamic system. Microclimate, the crop, biosphere, and management practices interact to determine the best yield production. South Africa is a water-scarce country, with high variability in annual rainfall. Thus, water quality and quantity are major limiting factors in agriculture. Hence, shadenetting can be used to modify the orchard microclimate to make the environment more conducive for fruit production. The South African avocado industry is export-oriented, so there is a commercial need to optimise the exportable percentage of avocado fruit. Sunburn, wind and hail damage and small fruit size as a result of water stress are the major cull factors for the industry. It is believed that shadenetting, with changes in management practices, can counter these limiting factors. There is no literature on growing avocado fruit under shadenetting. Therefore, the aim of the research was to determine the effects of a 20% white shadenet on ‘Carmen®-Hass’ avocado orchards and productivity. The long term objective is to improve avocado fruit quality and profitability in the Mooketsi Valley, Limpopo province, South Africa, a subtropical environment by reducing abiotic stress, particularly, solar irradiance, heat and wind. The trial was conducted at Goedgelegen Estate in the Mooketsi Valley on ‘Carmen®-Hass’ trees planted in 2007/8 season. A 1-ha shadenet structure (6 m high) was used, with 20% white shadenet over the roof and 40% green shadenet on the sides. Air and canopy temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar irradiance and leaf wetness duration (LWD) and sap flow were monitored at a sub-hourly rate. Evapotranspiration was calculated from the above mentioned parameters. Irrigation was monitored five times per week using tensiometers at 300- and 600-mm soil depths. The comparison between open and shadenet leaf areas showed that leaves in the open treatment were reduced as a result of the abiotic stress. Fruit water content under the shadenet compared to the open was greater, such enabled fruit under the shadenet to reach maturity two weeks earlier when compared with open treatment. Air and canopy temperature and relative humidity were slightly reduced under the shadenet, with the greatest difference occurring during the flowering period in mid-winter. The modification in air temperature and relative humidity was beneficial for bee activity and pollination in 2015 compared to the 2014 season. ‘Carmen®-Hass’ flowers in mid-winter when temperature conditions are not conducive for pollination. Canopy temperature was also reduced under shadenetting compared to the open treatment. The reduction was due to differences in tree density and the role that shadenetting plays. The infrared thermometer measurements were uniform with dense canopies compared to sparse tree canopies. The midday incoming solar irradiance was reduced by 18% under the shadenet compared to the open treatment. Calm conditions were experienced under the shadenet. Hence, windspeed was reduced to negligible levels. Also, the shadenet resist air flow to a certain height compared to the open treatment. LWD was extended by 12% under shadenet. An infestation of the insect pest citrus leaf roller (Archips occidentalis) caused severe damage to the fruit during the 2014/15 season due to the high plant density used. Significant results were that evapotranspiration was reduced by 14 and 29% less water was applied under the shadenet to maintain an adequate soil water content compared to the open treatment. Fruit reached minimum maturity two weeks earlier under shadenet compared to the open treatment. Fruit quality and pack-out were improved under the shadenet due to reduction in sunburn, wind damage and small fruit. But poor yields were experienced during the 2014 season due to poor bee activity, pollination and fruit size distribution were reduced under the shadenet compared to the open treatment. But following the improved bee activity in 2015, the 2016 normal season yield is likely to be improved under the shadenet than in the open treatment. Data collected in the Mooketsi Valley showed that 20% white shadenet has modified the microclimate and improved fruit quality. The water use under the shadenet was improved compared to the open treatment. But a thorough investigation on bee management under shadenet is required to optimise pollination in order to obtain greater yields under the shadenet

BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF GARCINIA MANGOSTANA

  Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities of different solvent extracts of Garcinia mangostana leaves.Methods: The powdered leaf was subjected to sequential extraction using hexane, ethyl acetate (EA), and methanol. The extracts were subjected to quantitative and qualitative phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. The best solvent extract was subjected to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.Results: The highest activity was recorded in EA extract which was subjected to GC-MS analysis revealing the presence of squalene (17.09%).Conclusion: From this present study, we conclude that EA is the best solvent for extracting antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds from the leaves of G. mangostana

Toward Sustainable Exploration: An Urgency to Enlarge the Application of Sustainable Development into Outer Space?

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of 17 goals that provide a shared blueprint to bring peace and prosperity for people and the planet, for the present and long terms. However, none of them regulates activities in outer space, where outer space itself needs sustainability, especially by the fact that there are several space activities that may potentially endanger the space environment, such as space mining. Currently, the space law regime governs the environmental protection on space based on Article IX Outer Space Treaty and also the Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, however the latter is not legally binding and also the procedure to the utilization of space resources still absent. The growing involvement of countries in space exploration, including both established space-faring nations and emerging space actors, like Indonesia, suggests an impending exploitation of outer space activities. This poses a significant concern as the absence of binding regulations on space resource utilization or the concept of sustainable development addressing outer space issues, potentially resulting in environmental harm. The aim of this paper is to examine the urgencies for the United Nations to adopt a new goal for Sustainable Development that covers not only issues happening on earth but also in outer space and to explore the urgencies to create both national especially Indonesia and international law that regulates sustainability of outer space resources. This paper use normative juridical research methods, by applying statute, conceptual, and case approach. This paper finds an absence in neither national nor international law that regulates sustainability of outer space resources. Therefore, it is necessary for Indonesia and the international community to enlarge the application of sustainable development into outer space to guarantee the long-term sustainability of outer space

Creencias y prácticas culturales maternas en el cuidado de niños menores de 1 año, con enfermedades pediátricas más comunes, en el Barrio Benicio Herrera en la Comunidad Bocana de Paiwas RACCS, II semestre 2021

En él presente estudio titulado creencias y prácticas culturales maternas en el cuidado de niños menores de 1 año con enfermedades pediátricas más comunes, en el Barrio Benicio Herrera en la Comunidad Bocana de Paiwas RACCS, II semestre 2021. Al indagar el efecto de las creencias y prácticas culturales que forman parte en la vida diaria de las madres, nos dimos cuenta que cuando se trata de sus hijos enfermos cada madre tiene la sabiduría de cómo enfrentar este problema, realizando procedimientos naturales lo cual la madre cree ser mejor para la salud de su niño. En el estudio se entrevistaron a las madres para conocer cada uno de sus procedimientos al momento de curar la enfermedad, lo cual pudimos identificar posibles consecuencias graves asociadas a las prácticas. El estudio es de tipo cualitativo, fenomenológico, prospectivo y de corte transversal. Se trabajó con 10 madres de familias visitándolas casa a casa, en la comunidad Bocana de Paiwas, en el barrio Benicio Herrera en el segundo semestre 2021. Las técnicas e instrumentos que se utilizaron para la recolección de la información, fueron la entrevista a profundidad, muestreo intencional, diario de campo y prueba de jueces. Con la información recolectada se procedió al procesamiento y análisis reduciendo los datos mediante la separación, identificación y clasificación de las unidades, finalizando con la síntesis y agrupamiento para efectuar la transformación de datos y diseñar matrices con el objetivo de obtener los resultados y conclusiones en base a los descriptores en estudio: características sociodemográficas, describir las creencias describir las creencias culturales maternas en el cuidado de niños menores de 1 año, descubrir las prácticas culturales maternas en el cuidado de niños menores de 1 año. Resultando que el bajo nivel escolar infiere en la falta de información sobre las consecuencias que pueden presentar los niños al exponerlos a estos procedimiento

Prevalence of neurocysticercosis in people with epilepsy in the Eastern Province of Zambia

Zambia is endemic for Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis. In this single-centered, cross-sectional, community-based study, the role of neurocysticercosis (NCC) as a cause of epilepsy was examined. People with epilepsy (PWE, n = 56) were identified in an endemic area using a screening questionnaire followed by in-depth interviews and neurological examination. Computed tomography (CT) was performed on 49 people with active epilepsy (PWAE) and their sera (specific antibody and antigen detection, n = 56) and stools (copro-antigen detection, n = 54) were analyzed. The CT scan findings were compared to a group of 40 CT scan controls. Of the PWE, 39.3% and 23.2% were positive for cysticercal antibodies and antigens, respectively, and 14.8% for coproantigens (taeniosis). Lesions highly suggestive of NCC were detected in 24.5% and definite NCC lesions in 4.1% of CT scans of PWAE. This compares to 2.5% and 0%, respectively, in the control CT scans. Using the Del Brutto diagnostic criteria, 51.8% of the PWAE were diagnosed with probable or definitive NCC and this rose to 57.1% when the adapted criteria, as proposed by Gabriel et al. (adding the sero-antigen ELISA test as a major criterion), were used. There was no statistically significant relationship between NCC, current age, age at first seizure and gender. This study suggests that NCC is the single most important cause of epilepsy in the study area. Additional large-scale studies, combining a community based prevalence study for epilepsy with neuroimaging and serological analysis in different areas are needed to estimate the true impact of neurocysticercosis in endemic regions and efforts should be instituted to the control of T. solium

The Grizzly, September 22, 2011

Hundreds Gather for Family Day • Fefu Offers Questions, not Answers • Phonathon Raising the Bar • Internship Profile: The Hill School • New Psychology Professor Looks to Promote Research • Woman to Watch: Kelly Reynolds • Campus Alcohol Policies Being Strongly Enforced • Organization Helps with Self-Esteem Issues • Opinion: Students Should Question the Meaning of Education; Academics Should Take Precedence Over Parties; Letter to the Editor: An Open Letter Too Closed-Minded, Rude • Coach\u27s Corner: Meet Diana Clavin • Turf Field Among New Traditions of Homecoming • Field Hockey Aims to Continue Championship Wayshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1840/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 15, 2011

New CAB Events Coming This Fall • UC Commemorates 9/11 • CAB Hosts Activities Fair in Zack\u27s • GSA Welcomes New Board • Tips to Assist with Time Management • New Math Professor Brings Biostatistics Expertise • Peer Docent Program Returns to Berman • Senior Reminisces on Semester Spent Abroad • Opinions: Updated Sexual Assault Policy Needs Awareness; Libya Should Look to Spain When Rebuilding Government • Fast Start has Volleyball on Track for the Playoffs • Cross Country Eyes Continued Improvement in 2011 • Men\u27s Basketball Team Goes Abroadhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1839/thumbnail.jp

The Psychological Science Accelerator: Advancing Psychology through a Distributed Collaborative Network

Concerns have been growing about the veracity of psychological research. Many findings in psychological science are based on studies with insufficient statistical power and nonrepresentative samples, or may otherwise be limited to specific, ungeneralizable settings or populations. Crowdsourced research, a type of large-scale collaboration in which one or more research projects are conducted across multiple lab sites, offers a pragmatic solution to these and other current methodological challenges. The Psychological Science Accelerator (PSA) is a distributed network of laboratories designed to enable and support crowdsourced research projects. These projects can focus on novel research questions, or attempt to replicate prior research, in large, diverse samples. The PSA\u27s mission is to accelerate the accumulation of reliable and generalizable evidence in psychological science. Here, we describe the background, structure, principles, procedures, benefits, and challenges of the PSA. In contrast to other crowdsourced research networks, the PSA is ongoing (as opposed to time-limited), efficient (in terms of re-using structures and principles for different projects), decentralized, diverse (in terms of participants and researchers), and inclusive (of proposals, contributions, and other relevant input from anyone inside or outside of the network). The PSA and other approaches to crowdsourced psychological science will advance our understanding of mental processes and behaviors by enabling rigorous research and systematically examining its generalizability