Assessments of fodder values of 3 indigenous and 1 exotic woody plant species in the highlands of central Ethiopia

Leaves and twigs of indigenous woody plant species are used as a source of supplemental animal feed in the mountainous landscapes of central Ethiopia. A study was carried out from 2004 to 2006 to assess the nutritional value of three indigenous and one exotic species, based on the chemical composition, tannin contents, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and digestible energy. The species studied were Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel., Dombeya torrida (J.F. Gmel.) P. Bamps, Buddleja polystachya Fres., and Chamaecytisus palmensis (Christ) Bisby & K. Nicholls. The first three are indigenous, and the last one is an exotic species. The Na content of the foliage and flower bud in the four species was much lower than the minimum requirement for ruminants, while other micro- and macronutrients were within the recommended range of nutrient concentrations in animal feeds. On the other hand, the crude protein content of the foliage and flower bud in the four fodder species was higher than the minimum required level. The foliage and flower bud in vitro dry matter digestibility of H. abyssinica and C. palmensis was 70% and 71%, respectively. The digestible energy of the foliage of H. abyssinica and C. palmensis was significantly higher than the digestible energy of D. torrida and B. polystachya. Therefore, the foliage and flower bud of most of those species can be used as sources of supplemental fodder with a proper feeding management scheme

Let's Break It Down: A Qualitative Analysis of the Role of Communication Pauses in the Internal Corporate Communication of large German Companies

The rising flood of emails, messages and meetings in the internal communication of large German companies is growing steadily. The growing number of daily messages as well as their frequency are causing employees to feel stressed. As a result, their productivity and job satisfaction decrease. This paper analyzes the role strategic communication pauses play in the internal corporate communication of large German companies. Using a qualitative research framework, based on semi-structured guided interviews with communication managers (n = 9), insights are gained into the use of communication pauses and reasons for implementing them in companies. The results show that the main reasons are the growing number of communication channels and the increasing quantity of communicated information. Both developments have been further driven by the digital transformation in particular. Furthermore, it is shown that communication pauses are defined and implemented very differently in companies, which is due to various factors, such as digital transformation, corporate culture and internal communication tools. Within the framework of the study, the term 'communication pause' is successfully defined for the first time. In addition, practical recommendations for the implementation of communication pauses in the internal communication of companies are provided

Es geht nicht nur um Curricula - ein Beispiel für partizipative Studiengestaltung

Um die Qualität und Studierbarkeit der Bachelor- und Masterstudien zu verbessern, wurde an der Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU) das Projekt „BOKU-Studien für die Zukunft“ gestartet, das in einen kontinuierlichen Prozess der Weiterentwicklung der Curricula und des Kernbereichs Lehre insgesamt mündete. Hinter der gewählten Vorgehensweise steht der Grundsatz, dass der Bereich Lehre umfassend mit all seinen Teilaspekten zu betrachten ist. Die Schaffung von breit angelegten Mitgestaltungsmöglichkeiten trägt dazu bei, den Akteurinnen und Akteuren ihre aktive Rolle bei der Generierung von Neuem zu vermitteln und das Wissen um und das Verständnis für notwendige Änderungen zu erhöhen. Aus den bewährten Interaktionsprozessen kann ein Innovationsmodell abgeleitet werden, dessen Erfolg in einem Wechselspiel zwischen institutionalisierten und nicht-formalen Akteuerinnen und Akteuren begründet ist. 02.11.2011 | Susanna-Maria Henkel & Monika Sieghardt (Wien

Why does Thlaspi goesingense Hálácsy (Brassicaceae) Accumulate Metals?

Despite their great potential, a multitude of questions remain to be addressed before hyperaccumulators can be used to clean up contaminated sites. we used a scanning electron microscope and light microscopy to address the question how Tlaspi goesingense accumulates metals. Hyperaccumulation of nicekl by T. goesingense was confirmed: the recorded concentration was ten times beyond the treshold that defines a nickel hyperaccumulator. The pathogen/herbivore defence hypothesis can indirectly be confrimed because cuticular striations increased when the nickel concentration decreased. The large, elongated epidermis cells in T. goesingense indicate that metals are sequestered and immobilized because these cells correlated with elevated nickel concentrations. These cells are less frequently encountered in T. arvense, a non-hyperaccumulator. Exceptions were recorded in the leaves of the inflorescence axis: the nickel concentration here was relatively high but only a few elongated cells were present. The high amount of nickel and zinc in the plant confirms the metal tolerance of T. goesingense. The disposal-from-the-Plant-Body Theory can also be confirmed because the leaves of the leaves inflorescence axis, which are lost after flowering, accumulated high amounts of nickel. Detoxification is by disposal of nonessential plant organs. Other mechanisms of disposal are unlikely because no trichomes or other adaptations were recorde

Clay minerals and selected ecological aspects of soils on Veli Brijun Island, Croatia

An academic cooperation agreement between the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU) and the Faculty of Forestry of the University of Zagreb was established in September 2000. In the context of this agreement, the Institute of Forest Ecology of BOKU was asked to develop a sustainable concept for the continuation of the devastated arboretum at Brijuni. The arboretum was established in1987.The basic idea of the two initiators, Prof. Dr. Ž. Borzan and Prof. Dr. M. Vidaković, was to give a floristic general view on the Mediterranean flora as well as on trees and shrubs from completely different climatic zones of the world (BORZAN et al., 1993). Plants from various countries were chosen as examples to document the lively diplomatic activities of the former Yugoslavian President Tito. Costly facilities to maintain the arboretum, like paved pathways, water supply, a nursery and a house for employees and guests, were established. Due to warfare these investments were destroyed, the maintenance of the arboretum was neglected and furthermore completely abandoned. At present, the arboretum is in a poor condition. The fence isfull of holes, so that deer can enter the arboretum regularly and feed on tree seedlings. Many of the non-autochthonous plants died as a consequence of the Mediterranean climate and lack of care. The hypothes is of the ecological survey carried out by undergraduate student, Tomislav Erstić, was whether the general idea of the initiators of the arboretum could be sustainably continued, or whether an improved concept should be developed under the present ecological conditions with less maintenance efforts. Scientific soil research seemed to be a fundamental tool to prove these ecological hypotheses and was meant to support the elaborated concept. Data on mineralogical, physical, chemical and hydrological soil properties were collected and evaluated. Their ecological relevance was analyzed and served as fundament to the presented concept for the arboretum “Putevima Mira” (ERSTIĆ, 2005)