Mapping Shikoku: Picturing Buddhist Pilgrimage in Contemporary Japan

In this research, we will address this question: Do the modern methods of practicing the Shikoku Pilgrimage stay true to the ancient intent of the pilgrimage? People who embark on the journey to each of the 88 Shikoku temple sites do so to escape to another world of peace and tranquility that they cannot obtain in their regular daily lives. Unfortunately, there is a large gap in scholarship on the topic of the Shikoku Buddhist Pilgrimage: little is written about how the shift from ancient to modern practices of the pilgrimage has changed pilgrims’ experiences. Little is known by Westerners about the art objects that pilgrims encounter along the way to the temples, because some of the available artworks that pilgrims would encounter and view on their route to the temple sites cannot be removed from the route. We will demonstrate how walking the pilgrimage is more fulfilling than experiencing the pilgrimage by modernized transportation

Microbial biomass carbon in soil cultivated with soybean, under different management systems in Cerrado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar o carbono da biomassa microbina de solo, cultivado com soja em diferentes sistemas de manejo. Os sistemas de manejo foram semeadura direta, uma gradagem, subsolagem e duas gradagens, realizadas num Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo argiloso. As amostras de solo foram coletadas em cinco profundidades (0–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–30 e 30–40 cm) e em quatro épocas (antes do preparo do solo, 30 dias após a germinação, floração e após a colheita da soja). Foram coletadas, também, amostras de solo na mesma profundidade e na mesma época, em uma área de vegetação nativa (Cerrado sensu strictu), adjacente ao experimento. A subsolagem apresentou os maiores valores de carbono aos 30 dias após a germinação (865,7 mg kg-1 de solo). Este valor foi reduzido para 80,3 mg kg-1 de solo na floração. Os valores de carbono na semeadura direta mantiveram-se mais estáveis, principalmente na camada de 0–20 cm. As camadas de 0–5 e 5–10 cm apresentaram diferença na maioria das épocas estudadas e das demais camadas. A subsolagem mostrou o menor valor do carbono orgânico do solo, após a colheita da soja. Não houve correlação entre a relação carbono da biomassa microbiana/carbono orgânico e os nutrientes do solo na subsolagem.The aim of this study was to quantify soil microbial biomass carbon in a soybean crop under different soil management systems no-tillage, single harrowing, subsoiling and two harrowing, on a clay Red-Yellow Latossol in the Cerrado region. Soils were studied at five depths 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–30 and 30–40 cm. Four periods were observed before soil preparation; 30 days after germination; flowering stage and after harvesting soybean plants. The same measurements were taken under the same conditions in an area of native cerrado vegetation, adjacent to the experiment (Cerrado sensu strictu). Subsoiling showed highest carbon values 30 days after germination (865.7 mg kg-1 of soil). This was reduced to less than 10% (80.3 mg kg-1) at flowering. The carbon values were more stable in the no-tillage system, mainly in the 0–20 cm layer. The layers 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm showed significantly higher carbon values compared with other layers in most of the studied periods and depths. Subsoiling showed the lowest soil organic carbon level after soybean harvesting. Only in the system with subsoiling there was no significant correlation between the microbial carbon organic carbon index and soil nutrients

Exploring anhedonia in adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS):A mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) may get in the way of enjoying activities. A substantial minority of adolescents with CFS/ME are depressed. Anhedonia is a core symptom of depression. Anhedonia in adolescents with CFS/ME has not been previously investigated. METHOD: One hundred and sixty-four adolescents, age 12 to 18, with CFS/ME completed a diagnostic interview (K-SADS) and questionnaires (HADS, RCADS). We used a mixed-methods approach to explore the experience of anhedonia and examine how common it is, comparing those with clinically significant anhedonia to those without. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of adolescents with CFS/ME reported subclinical or clinical levels of anhedonia. Fifteen percent had clinically significant anhedonia. Thematic analysis generated two themes: (1) stopping activities that they previously enjoyed and (2) CFS/ME obstructs enjoyment. Most (72%) of those who reported clinically significant anhedonia met the depression diagnostic criteria. Those who were depressed used more negative language to describe their experience of activities than in those who were not depressed, although the themes were broadly similar. CONCLUSIONS: Experiencing pleasure from activities may be affected in CFS/ME, particularly in those who are depressed. Anhedonia may get in the way of behavioural strategies used within CFS/ME treatments

Millennial-scale climatic variability between 340000 and 270000 years ago in SW Europe : evidence from a NW Iberian margin pollen sequence

© 2009 The Authors. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. The definitive version was published in Climate of the Past 5 (2009): 53-72, doi:10.5194/cp-5-53-2009We present a new high-resolution marine pollen record from NW Iberian margin sediments (core MD03-2697) covering the interval between 340 000 and 270 000 years ago, a time period centred on Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 9 and characterized by particular baseline climate states. This study enables the documentation of vegetation changes in the north-western Iberian Peninsula and therefore the terrestrial climatic variability at orbital and in particular at millennial scales during MIS 9, directly on a marine stratigraphy. Suborbital vegetation changes in NW Iberia in response to cool/cold events are detected throughout the studied interval even during MIS 9e ice volume minimum. However, they appear more frequent and of higher amplitude during the 30 000 years following the MIS 9e interglacial period and during the MIS 9a-8 transition, which correspond to intervals of an intermediate to high ice volume and mainly periods of ice growth. Each suborbital cold event detected in NW Iberia has a counterpart in the Southern Iberian margin SST record. High to moderate amplitude cold episodes detected on land and in the ocean appear to be related to changes in deep water circulation and probably to iceberg discharges at least during MIS 9d, the mid-MIS 9c cold event and MIS 9b. This work provides therefore additional evidence of pervasive millennial-scale climatic variability in the North Atlantic borderlands throughout past climatic cycles of the Late Pleistocene, regardless of glacial state. However, ice volume might have an indirect influence on the amplitude of the millennial climatic changes in Southern Europe.This research was supported by IPEV (Institut Paul Emile Victor), PNEDC (Programme National d’Etude de la Dynamique du Climat), the Gary Comer Science and Education Foundation and the US National Science Foundation (OCE grants 8-4911100 and 8-256500)

Testicular biometrics characteristics to evaluate the Nellore zebu breed bulls

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as características de volume e forma testicular em zebuínos jovens da raça Nelore para caracterizar a sua importância na avaliação e seleção de reprodutores. Foram examinados a circunferência escrotal (CE), o comprimento (COMP), a largura (LARG) e o volume testicular (VOL) em 442 machos aos 12 e 18 meses de idade, divididos em dois grupos contemporâneos (G1 e G2), em função da data do nascimento. O VOL foi calculado pela fórmula: VOL = 2[(r2) x P x h] em que r = LARG/2, h = COMP, e P = 3,14. Os valores médios de CE, COMP, LARG e VOL, aos 12 meses de idade, foram 184,89±15,79 mm, 65,96±6,48 mm, 32,58±4,63 mm e 113,80±42,03 cm3, e aos 18 meses, 236,81±mm, 79,31±11,16 mm, 42,92±5,83 mm e 239,26±90,56 cm3, respectivamente. Os parâmetros, aos 12 e 18 meses de idade, variaram em função dos grupos contemporâneos, sendo altamente correlacionados. A forma dos testículos foi avaliada pela razão LARG/COMP, resultando em cinco formas: longa (razão £ 0,5), longa moderada (razão de 0,51 a 0,625), longa/oval (razão de 0,626 a 0,750), oval/esférica (razão de 0,751 a 0,875) e esférica (razão > 0,875). Em 87% dos animais, os testículos apresentaram forma longa e, em 74%, houve mudança da forma testicular com a idade. Os parâmetros estudados variaram em função da forma testicular, e o crescimento dos testículos ocorreu em largura. Os resultados sugerem que, ao selecionar reprodutores, principalmente jovens, deve-se considerar o volume testicular, além de possíveis mudanças da forma testicular.The objective of this study was to analyze the testicular volume and shape in young males of Nellore Zebu breed and their importance for the evaluation and selection of sires. Four hundred and forty two males, from 12 to 18 month of age, were examined for scrotal circumference (CE), length (COMP), width (LARG) and testicular volume (VOL). The animals were divided in two groups (G1 and G2) according to their date of birth. The VOL was calculated by the formula: VOL = 2[(r2) x P x h], where r, h and P are LARG/2, length and 3.14, respectively. The mean values of CE, COMP, LARG and VOL at 12 month of age were 184.89±15.79 mm, 65.96±6.48 mm, 2.58±4.63 mm and 113.80±42.03 cm3, and at 18 months of age were 236.81±mm, 79.31±11.16 mm, 42.92±5.83 mm and 239.26±90.56 cm3, respectively. The parameters at 12 and 18 months of age were influenced by contemporary groups, being highly correlated. The testicular shape was considered as a length to width ratio, being recorded five forms: long (ratio £ .5), long moderate (.51 to .626 ratio), long/ovoid (.626 to .750 ratio), ovoid/spheroid (.751 to .875 ratio) and spheroid (> .875 ratio). 87% of the animals presented the long shape and, in 74%, the testicular shape changed with the age. All the parameters were influenced by testicular shape, and the testis grew in width. The results suggest that the selection of young bulls should consider the testicular volume besides the possible change in the testicular shape.The objective of this study was to analyze the testicular volume and shape in young males of Nellore Zebu breed and their importance for the evaluation and selection of sires. Four hundred and forty two males, from 12 to 18 month of age, were examined for scrotal circumference (CE), length (COMP), width (LARG) and testicular volume (VOL). The animals were divided in two groups (G1 and G2) according to their date of birth. The VOL was calculated by the formula: VOL = 2[(r2) x P x h], where r, h and P are LARG/2, length and 3.14, respectively. The mean values of CE, COMP, LARG and VOL at 12 month of age were 184.89±15.79 mm, 65.96±6.48 mm, 2.58±4.63 mm and 113.80±42.03 cm3, and at 18 months of age were 236.81±mm, 79.31±11.16 mm, 42.92±5.83 mm and 239.26±90.56 cm3, respectively. The parameters at 12 and 18 months of age were influenced by contemporary groups, being highly correlated. The testicular shape was considered as a length to width ratio, being recorded five forms: long (ratio £ .5), long moderate (.51 to .626 ratio), long/ovoid (.626 to .750 ratio), ovoid/spheroid (.751 to .875 ratio) and spheroid (> .875 ratio). 87% of the animals presented the long shape and, in 74%, the testicular shape changed with the age. All the parameters were influenced by testicular shape, and the testis grew in width. The results suggest that the selection of young bulls should consider the testicular volume besides the possible change in the testicular shape

Diversidade genética e estrutura de população de bovinos nativos

Estratégias para conservação e melhoramento animal devem ser baseadas na associação de características fenotípicas e genéticas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar cinco raças nativas brasileiras (Caracu, Crioulo Lageano, Curraleiro, Mocho Nacional e Pantaneiro) e duas comerciais (Holandês e Nelore) pela técnica de RAPD para estimar a distância genética e a variabilidade genética entre e dentro das raças. As relações genéticas foram investigadas utilizando-se 22 primers, que geraram 122 bandas polimórficas. A análise de variância molecular revelou que a maior parte da variabilidade genética total ocorreu em virtude das diferenças de indivíduos dentro das populações. Na comparação da variabilidade genética entre os pares de raças, observou-se que todos os valores obtidos foram estatisticamente significativos. A menor divergência genética foi observada entre Crioulo Lageano e Curraleiro. A raça Mocho Nacional, apesar de historicamente ser considerada de origem Bos taurus aquitanicus,mesma origem da raça Caracu, agrupou-se com as demais raças nativas consideradas de origem Bos taurus ibericus. Demodo geral, as raças estudadas se agruparam em clustersdistintos, com exceção da Mocho Nacional. A técnica de RAPD foi capaz de distinguir geneticamente as raças estudadas; Caracu, Crioulo Lageano, Curraleiro e Pantaneiro podem ser consideradas entidades genéticas distintas, comprovando assim, a unicidade de suas populações; a Mocho Nacional não conseguiu se restabelecer, após seu declínio na década de 50, perdendo, sua identidade genética

Utilization of animal genetic resources in Brazil : results of a 28-year Conservation Program

O texto traz um breve histórico (1983 até 2010) da utilização de recursos genéticos animais no Brasil pelo programa de conservação brasileiro

Production and reproduction traits in Holstein and Gyr crossbred cows in the Central Plateau, Brazil

Com o objetivo de comparar o desempenho leiteiro e reprodutivo de vacas da raça Holandesa e mestiças Holandês × Gir na região do Planalto Central foram utilizados dados de 1.456 vacas de cinco composições raciais, originadas das raças Holandesa (H) e Gir (G): puras H; ¾H ¼G; ½H ½G; 3/8H 5/8G; e ¼H ¾G. Analisaram-se as características produção média diária de leite (PMD), número de dias em lactação (DL) e produção total da lactação corrigida para 305 dias (P305), idade ao primeiro parto (IPP), período de gestação (PG) e intervalo de partos (IEP). Os maiores valores de PMD e P305 foram obtidos para os animais ¾H ¼G e ½H ½G e os menores, para os animais com maior proporção da raça Gir (¼H ¾G). Os valores das características reprodutivas IPP e IEP, no entanto, foram menores para os animais ¾H ¼G.Esses resultados evidenciam a adaptação das vacas mestiças ao ambiente a que foram submetidas ou que os animais puros da raça Holandesa, em razão do estresse nutricional e/ou térmico, não expressaram todo o seu potencial genético para produção leiteira.Além disso, os dados comprovaram a importância da utilização de sistemas de cruzamento na manutenção da produção dos animais e na sua adaptação ao ambiente.Data from 1456 purebred and crossbred cows of five different crossbred groups involving the Holstein (H) and Gyr (G) breeds (H; ¾H ¼G; ½H ½G; 3/8H 5/8G e ¼H ¾G) were used to compare their milk production and reproductive traits in the Brazilian central plateau region. The performance traits studied were: average daily milk production (DMP); lactation length (LL); total production in 305 days (P305) and age at first calving (AFC), gestation length (GL) and calving interval (CI). Higher averages of DMP and P305 were observed for animals ¾H ¼G and ½H ½G and the smallest ones for crossbred animals with larger proportion of the Gyr breed (¼H ¾G). The lowest values of AFC and CI were observed for ¾H ¼G animals. These results indicate the importance of crossbreeding strategies to produce animals that are more adapted to the environmental conditions of the region. Holstein purebreds probably do not express their full genetic potential due to nutritional and/or heat stress