New Directions in Digital Modern Languages: Introduction

In this article, the editors introduce the Digital Modern Languages Special Collection that results from an open call that sought out new and emerging research at the intersection of Modern Languages and digital culture, media and technologies. They explain the intentionally wide-ranging and transdisciplinary scope of the Collection, which reflects an openness to the many ways Digital Modern Languages research is practised. The Collection also includes research on a wide range of geographical and linguistic contexts, reflecting wider calls to move beyond the limited range of languages traditionally associated with “Modern Languages”. Through this combined transdisciplinary and cross-languages focus, the Collection seeks to contribute to the broader strategic identity transformation of the wider field

Relationship of testicular development with age, body weight, semen characteristics and testosterone in Kivircik ram lambs

The study was conducted to measure the development of several testicular characteristics and to investigate the relationship between testicular parameters with body growth, semen characteristics and serum testosterone levels in growing ram lambs. Seventeen single born Kivircik ram lambs from three to four year old ewes were used. When the rams were two months old measurements of the length, diameter and circumference of their testes and body weights started, and blood samples were collected at 20-day intervals for the next 12 months. From seven to 14 months of age semen was collected at monthly intervals. There was a gradual and linear increase in testicular dimensions from two to 11 months of age. A rapid increase in all testicular dimensions was observed between 140 to 160 days of age. All measurements of testes, live weight, age and serum testosterone concentrations were positively and significantly correlated with each other. While a significant positive correlation was found at seven and eight months of age between all testicular measurements and semen volume and motility, no such correlations were observed between nine and 14 months of age. From seven to 14 months of age no correlation was measured between serum testosterone concentrations and spermatological characteristics. These results demonstrated that testicular measurements, especially scrotal circumference, can be used as criteria for early selection of ram lambs to be used in breeding at relatively young ages. Keywords: Kivircik lamb, testicular development, semen characteristics, testosterone South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 37 (4) 2007: pp. 269-27

Polymorphism evaluation of various genomic loci in the Kivircik sheep breed of Turkey

In recent years regions which exhibit many genetic polymorphisms for the DNA of cattle, sheep and goats have been discovered. The aim of this study is to analyse the polymorphism of various microsatellites, which have been previously defined as polymorphism for sheep, and to evaluate the use of the Kivircik sheep population, which is indigenous to Turkey in relationship testing. The results have been evaluated for heterozygosity, power exclusion, matching probability, power discrimination, and paternity index

New Directions in Digital Modern Languages Research

This Special Collection results from an open call that sought out new and emerging research at the intersection of Modern Languages and digital culture, media, and technologies. The Collection is intentionally wide-ranging and transdisciplinary in focus, and it includes research on a range of geographic, cultural and linguistic contexts in Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Arabian Peninsula that falls broadly into three areas: digital archives and memory studies, language use in the digital space, and digital storytelling and literature. With a number of contributions by doctoral and early career researchers, the Collection exemplifies the creative and diverse ways Modern Languages researchers are responding to a rapidly changing digital research landscape, in which minoritized languages are also gaining visibility. Alongside more computational approaches, the Collection highlights the continued value of qualitative approaches that build on the existing methodological and analytical strengths of Modern Languages research, while contributing to the larger field of Digital Humanities. The contributions cover a range of subjects, including database solutions to support collaborative research across languages; the potential and limitations of digital media platforms to critically engage with recent history; and using digital storytelling to improve performance in the language classroom. Guest Editors: Orhan Elmaz, University of St Andrews Saskia Huc-Hepher, University of Westminster Paul Spence, King’s College London Naomi Wells, School of Advanced Stud

Levels of hormones and cytokines associated with growth in Honamlı and native hair goats

This study was designed to assess alterations of hormone and cytokine levels associated with growth period during puberty in Honamli goats which were identified as a new goat breed and had one of the highest meat production potential among the other goat breeds in Turkey. Honamli goats are originated from native hair goats, so parallel studies of sampling and analyzing were conducted also in native hair goats which have moderate meat production. Blood serum samples of Honamli (n=90) and native hair goats (n=90) were obtained from the pure herds in Korkuteli and Ka districts of Anatolia. Concentrations of growth hormone (GH), myostatin (MSTN), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP), leptin, transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-ß1) and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured by ELISA in each breed in the age groups of 4, 8 and 12 months. The present results indicate interesting correlations among the age groups and all the examined hormone and cytokine parameters exhibited significant (P<0.05 and P<0.001) differences. The parameters investigated were usually begun to increase after 4 months of age in the both breeds and sexes. Therefore, this paper supported the view that the beginning of hormonal alterations of goats could occur at 4th month of age. The results reported here emphasize the primary role played by GH, MSTN, IGF-1, leptin, GHRH, GHRP, TGF-ßi and VEGF in the first year growth period of goats

Impact of organic agriculture on the environment

Organic farming can be defined as an approach to agriculture where the aim is to create integrated, environmentally sustainable agricultural production systems. Maximum reliance is placed on self-regulating agro-ecosystems, locally or farm-derived renewable resources and the management of ecological and biological processes and interactions. Dependence on external inputs, whether chemical or organic, is reduced as far as possible. Market demand for organic products has expanded rapidly over the past decade. This is maybe the highest quality of organic production systems, that will in the future benefit to everybody on earth Organic farming encompasses a concept of a more sustainable approach to agricultural production. Organic farming is a way to protect the environment. In organic agriculture, the restricted use of mineral fertilizers reduces the use of non-renewable energy (fossil fuels) and reduces the emissions of agricultural greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous dioxide and methane). Moreover, mixed farming and soil building allow for increased biological activity by providing support for micro-organisms, earthworms, fungi and bacteria