Koans and Levels of Consciousness

This is a theoretical paper devoted to an examination of the phenomenon of the Zen koan. First, the existing understanding of the koan will be outlined from a number of sources. This will be followed by an examination of what the koan would look like from a structural point of view. Ken Wilber’s outlook will then be used to look at the koan in a fresh way so that one might see it as a kind of test of the level of consciousness exhibited by each solution. The latter is related to recent thinking on models in general

Low water-soluble superphosphate fertiliser for pasture production in south-western Australia

Single superphosphate is derived from chemically treating rock phosphate into relative proportions of monobasic, dibasic and tribasic calcium phosphate to produce a commonly used source of phosphorus fertiliser for pasture systems. The leaching of phosphorus on susceptible soil types contributes to eutrophication and environmental damage. By modifying the chemistry of single superphosphate to match a soils phosphorus binding index and rainfall conditions, pasture dry matter yield can be maintained and leaching of phosphorus significantly reduced

Diversification and the patterns of introgression in a clade of Neotropical trees

The evolutionary processes that led to the assembly of the diverse Neotropical tree flora are complex and poorly understood. It remains unclear at what pace this superlative diversity was accumulated, as do the causes of poor phylogenetic resolution and gene tree incongruence, which are commonly found when reconstructing the phylogeny of rainforest tree species. In addition, the role that introgression has played in the diversification of Neotropical trees and its effect on phylogeny remains enigmatic. The Brownea clade (Leguminosae) are a group of tree species characteristic of Neotropical rainforests, and so serve as an excellent study group with which to approach questions about the diversification of Neotropical trees. This investigation aimed to infer the rates of diversification and biogeographical history of the Brownea clade following the estimation of a phylogenetic tree for the group. The relationships between species within Brownea were then examined using phylogenomic methods to quantify gene tree incongruence, and phylogenetic model testing was used to ascertain whether this incongruence was better explained by incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) or introgression. Finally, two Brownea species found in sympatry were used to examine the impact of introgression on divergence, and whether species boundaries are maintained despite gene flow. More specifically, this study assessed whether genomic loci differed in the degree to which they introgress when compared to the genome-wide average, which would be expected if species boundaries were being maintained by selection. Furthermore, loci which were candidate regions for selection, and those associated with different aspects of the environment and morphology, were inferred in order to determine possible factors maintaining the divergence between the two species.Open Acces

The effects of stream channelization on salmonid habitats in western Norway

Amidst the Anthropocene era’s heightened human influence on the environment and escalating habitat degradation, this study delves into the impacts of channelization on salmon and sea trout habitats in small streams in western Norway. Employing hydraulic measurements, habitat mapping, and juvenile fish surveys, the research aimed to assess channelization effects on spawning gravel proportion, shelter availability, and juvenile fish density. Surprisingly, while shelter availability was lower in channelized sites, no significant effects of channelization were observed on spawning gravel proportion or juvenile fish density, challenging initial hypotheses. These findings underscore the complexity of relationships between channelization, habitat, and fish population dynamics in these ecosystems. In conclusion, the study highlights the necessity for comprehensive pre-intervention assessments and consideration of diverse approaches to preserve habitat integrity while addressing flood management in these environments, while also highlighting the limitations of standardized habitat mapping methods.Masteroppgave i biologiBIO399MAMN-BIOMAMN-HAVS

Future climate scenarios for Ireland using high resolution statistical downscaling techniques.

Polynomial regression techniques were used to derive a baseline climatology for Ireland at a scale of l km2 for the p eriod 1961-90. Monthly climate variables were related to position and elevation on a digital elevation model and these were found to provide good predictors for precipitation and m aximum/minimum temperature. Baseline maps for mean monthly radiation receipt and potential evapotranspiration were a lso derived at 1 km2 scales. The National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) Reanalysis D ata were then related to this b aseline climatology and relationships be n veen upper air variables and surface climate established as a basis for statistical downscaling of global climate models. Monthly output for the spatial domain over Ireland were extrac ted from th e latest Hadley Centre Clobal Climate Model (HadCM3). Using the upper air/surface relationships the climate differences be t\'Veen a modelled run for the 1961-90 period and the period 204 1-70 was establish ed. These differences were th en applied to the baseline climate d ata to provide future climatic scenarios for Ireland for these period s. Mean temperature increases of 2-3°C we re projected for mid century for both summer and winter. Precipitation changes showed w inter increases of the order of 10% in western Ireland and similar summer decreases especially in eastern Ireland. Observation al data trends appear to match these projections

John Rowan/William Lytle Letters

MS012-201

The Emigrant and Sportsman in Canada

https://commons.und.edu/settler-literature/1155/thumbnail.jp