Organic farming and biodiversity – how to create a viable farm business including conservation issues

The extension of organic farming (OF), the increasing recognition of the advantages for improving agro-biodiversity, and the fact that the protection of nature and natural species cannot be taken for granted, has resulted in several interdisciplinary activities. The first of these was the Brodowin Nature Conservation Farm project. Conflicts between nature conservation and modern, large-scale OF, focusing on arable land use systems, were identified, evaluated and solved. Suggestions for adequate financial reward for ecological performance were worked out. The tested optimisation strategies were implemented in a second project: preparing a whole farm management plan based on maps marked with fields having a high potential for specific target species. The aim was to achieve the highest benefit for nature conservation issues with the least expenditure by the farm. A manual is being produced as a third project, with a series of examples for the integration of nature conservation measures, based on the results of our own projects and data sourced in literature, along with different experts. The manual will allow the user to see immediately either how target species/groups can be directly promoted or how measures can be se-lected, and what effects these have on the business

Ochrana přírody v ekologickém zemědělství - praktická příručka pro ekologické polní zemědělství v severovýchodním regionu Německa

Praktická příručka pro ekologické zemědělství v severovýchodním regionu Německa aplikovatelná na české podmínky. Jak lze při produkci potravin lépe chránit volně žijící zvířata a rostliny? Jaké možnosti má ekologické zemědělství? Příručka se těmto otázkám věnuje soustředěnou formou orientovanou na praxi. Obsah byl intenzivně diskutován a odsouhlasen s odborníky z praxe, poradenství, vědy a státní správy. Mohly tak být vzaty v úvahu podněty a námitky ze strany zemědělců a vyjasněny jak administrativní problémy, tak otázky přenositelnosti obsahu na celé severovýchodní Německo. V první části příručky jsou ukázány výhody a potenciály ekologického zemědělství pro ochranu přírody a situace podniků v severovýchodním Německu. Je zde vysvětleno, proč jsou zvláště v polní produkci nutná opatření na ochranu přírody. Je popsán ekologický význam biotopů jetelotráva, zrniny a krajinné prvky a jsou představeny základní strategie ochrany. Následující praktická část obsahuje stručné, snadno srozumitelné návody zaměřené na ochranu zvířat a rostlin. 20 záložek opatření a 17 záložek druhů, stejně jako i krátké popisy dalších relevantních opatření a druhů pomůžou zemědělci v rozhodování, na kterých pozemcích se vyplatí chránit určité druhy a jaké to bude mít zemědělské dopady. Uživatel rychle uvidí, jak lze typické nebo vzácné druhy zvířat a rostlin podporovat. I podniky, které nemají k dispozici konkrétní informace o výskytu jednotlivých druhů, si pro vlastní pozemky mohou vybrat vhodná opatření. Kromě toho jsou na základě praktických příkladů vysvětleny konkrétní možnosti celopodnikové optimalizace ochrany přírody

Early Numerical Competencies and Students with Mathematics Difficulty

Children start elementary school with variable mathematics ski11s. Some childrenunderstand the fundamentals of numbers and mathematics, while others struggle with basic counting, number recognition, understanding of symbols, quantity discrimination, and concepts of addition and subtraction. Often, this set of early numerical competencies is referred to as number sense or early numeracy competencies. Students need to establish and understand these competencies before moving on to more complex mathematical tasks. This article describes important early num erical competencies and provides a description of how these competencies can be taught to students who struggle with mathematics

Mehr Naturschutz mit der Landwirtschaft – Praxisbeispiele aus Brandenburg –

Strategies to enhance and improve biodiversity on farms in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, Brandenburg, Germany are presented. Based on scientific results and experiences gained in the five year BfN Project “Nature Conservation Farm Brodowin” a manual for farmers, advisors and authorities has been developed that describes successfully tested nature conservation measures for threatened species of agrarian landscapes. In addition, instructions are given for developing the whole farm from a nature conservation viewpoint. This knowledge will be applied, adapted and further expanded in course of the elaboration of conservation management plans for fifteen farms with approx. 11,000 ha in total. Special focus is given on the requirements for managing and protecting Natura 2000 sites and species. Together with the farmers we provide nature conservation plans as decision support concerning the following issues: which species should be supported and which fields are the most suitable, where are particularly valuable sites and species, which measures achieve the comparatively greatest success for the species concerned and what effort is required by the farm considering potential yield and quality losses

The discrete module category for the ring of K-theory operations

We study the category of discrete modules over the ring of degree zero stable operations in p-local complex K-theory. We show that the p-local K-homology of any space or spectrum is such a module, and that this category is isomorphic to a category defined by Bousfield and used in his work on the K-local stable homotopy category (Amer. J. Math., 1985). We also provide an alternative characterisation of discrete modules as locally finitely generated modules.Comment: 19 page

Gezielte Veränderungen von DNA Modifikationen in der Mauszygote und deren Analyse im Zusammenhang der epigenetischen Reprogrammierung und der präimplantiven Entwicklung

Während der präimplantiven Säugerentwicklung finden genomweite Umstrukturierungen der epigenetischen DNA- und Histonmodifikationen statt, die den Embryo auf die transkriptionelle Aktivierung und die damit verbundene korrekte Entwicklung vorbereiten. Dabei erfolgt der Verlust von 5mC mit einem gleichzeitigen Anstieg von 5hmC, 5fC und 5caC. In dieser Arbeit wurden Enzyme in die Mauszygote eingebracht, die für die Oxidation von 5mC oder das Ausschneiden von 5fC/5caC verantwortlich sind, wodurch sich die Mengen und Muster dieser Basen änderten. Dies erlaubte die funktionelle Analyse von 5mC, 5hmC, 5fC und 5caC in der epigenetischen Reprogrammierung und der präimplantiven Entwicklung. Es konnte ein Einfluss der Oxidation von 5mC auf die DNA- Methylierungsdynamiken gezeigt werden. Die Daten unterstützen die Theorie der komplexen, sequenzspezifischen De- und Remethylierungsmechanismen. Weiterhin konnte gezeigt werden, dass der epigenetische Status, welcher in der Zygote etabliert wird, im präimplantiven Embryo aufrechterhalten wird und entscheidend für dessen Entwicklung ist. Ein epigenetisches Ungleichgewicht ist mit einer Entwicklungsrestriktion verbunden, welche auf verschiedenen Mechanismen wie z.B. Expressionsvariation oder DNA- Schäden basiert. Der Anstieg der oxidierten Basen führt dabei nämlich zu DNA- Reparaturinitiierung. Die Ergebnisse zeigen deutlich, dass das in der Zygote etablierte epigenetische Gleichgewicht essentiell für die präimplantive Entwicklung ist.During preimplantation mouse development, the genome encounters a dramatic epigenetic reprogramming, which is essential for transcriptional activation and a proper early development. The reprogramming includes extensive changes of histone modifications and genome-wide loss of DNA methylation which is coupled to oxidation of 5mC to 5hmC, 5fC and 5caC. In this study, different enzymes, responsible for the oxidation of 5mC and the excision of 5fC/5caC have been over represented in the zygote to alter the amounts and patterns of these epigenetic modifications. This approach enabled the functional analysis of 5hmC, 5fC and 5caC in reprogramming and preimplantation development. It was shown, that the artificial oxidation of 5mC influences the DNA methylation dynamics. Overall the data, support the existing theories about complex de- and remethylation dynamics in the zygote. Beside this it was shown, that the epigenetic state which is established in the zygote is maintained in the preimplantation embryo and is essential for a proper development. The epigenetic imbalance leads to developmental restrictions, which are based on different mechanisms like expression variations or DNA damage. The enhanced oxidation thereby leads to DNA repair initiation which results in a stop of further development. The results of this study show, that the epigenetic equilibrium established in the zygote is essential for the preimplantation development

Ecological and agronomic evaluation of crop rotations in organic farming systems

The integration of nature conservation measures in organic farming requires special know-ledge about potential goal conflicts between ecological and agronomic requirements. The aim of this paper is to introduce a generation and evaluation tool for crop rotations that allows an assessment of the complex interdependencies of different biotic and abiotic parameters. The interdisciplinary ‘Nature Conserva-tion Farm Brodowin’ project provides the experimen-tal basis for developing practical solutions and compromises in this context. Two generated six-course crop rotations are presented as examples of this approach. The results show the sensitivity of the evaluation tool and its usability for improving crop rotations with regard to nature conservatio

Study protocol for a hybrid 1 effectiveness-implementation trial of Brief Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (Brief STAIR) and web-administered STAIR (webSTAIR) for posttraumatic stress disorder in integrated primary care.

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) disproportionally affects low-income, racial and ethnic minoritized communities, where prevalence is high, yet access to evidence-based treatments (EBTs) is low. As such, there is a need to identify effective, feasible, and scalable interventions for PTSD. Stepped care approaches that include brief, low-intensity treatments are one approach to improving access yet have not been developed for adults with PTSD. Our study aims to test the effectiveness of a step one PTSD treatment in primary care while gathering information on implementation to maximize sustainability in the setting. METHODS: This study will be conducted in integrated primary care in the largest safety net hospital in New England using a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design. Eligible trial participants are adult primary care patients who meet full or subthreshold criteria for PTSD. Interventions include Brief clinician-administered Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (Brief STAIR) versus web-administered STAIR (webSTAIR) during a 15-week active treatment period. Participants complete assessments at baseline (pre-treatment), 15 weeks (post-treatment), and 9 months (follow-up) post-randomization. We will assess feasibility and acceptability post-trial using surveys and interviews with patients, study therapists, and other key informants, and will assess the preliminary effectiveness of interventions in terms of PTSD symptom change and functioning. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence for the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of brief, low-intensity interventions in safety net integrated primary care, with the aim of including these interventions in a future stepped care approach to PTSD treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT04937504

Connect Cascade Locks: A Trails Plan for Economic Development

Located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the City of Cascade Locks is a point of entry for regional and national trail systems. Recreational development opportunities abound for the community including mountain biking, hiking, sailing, bird watching, road biking, wind surfing, fishing, and camping. As the only city located directly on the Pacific Crest Trail, Cascade Locks sees thousands of hikers pass through every year. The Historic Columbia River Highway, a National Scenic Byway, draws in bicyclists and motorists from across the region. With these opportunities in mind, Celilo Planning Studio worked with the Port of Cascade Locks to develop a plan that identifies potential areas for economic growth. The purpose of Connect Cascade Locks is to increase the economic development prospects of the community of Cascade Locks through a regionally integrated recreational trails network. Connect Cascade Locks focuses on increasing access to regional trails in town, trail stewardship, identifying goods and services that trail users desire, developing opportunities for local businesses, and recognizing existing local attractions. This plan capitalizes on existing opportunities as well as the enthusiasm of the Cascade Locks community to help revitalize the town. Connect Cascade Locks has already galvanized partner organizations such as the Port and ODOT to start planning new trails and outdoor recreation opportunities in Cascade Locks. The plan is also available at: www.portofcascadelocks.org. This project was conducted under the supervision of Ethan Seltzer and Gil Kelley

VPRBP functions downstream of the androgen receptor and OGT to restrict p53 activation in prostate cancer

Androgen receptor (AR) is a major driver of prostate cancer initiation and progression. O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), the enzyme that catalyzes the covalent addition of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) to serine and threonine residues of proteins, is often highly expressed in prostate cancer with its expression correlated with high Gleason score. In this study, we have identified an AR and OGT coregulated factor, Vpr (HIV-1) binding protein (VPRBP) also known as DDB1 and CUL4 Associated Factor 1 (DCAF1). We show that VPRBP is regulated by the AR at the transcript level, and stabilized by OGT at the protein level. VPRBP knockdown in prostate cancer cells led to a significant decrease in cell proliferation, p53 stabilization, nucleolar fragmentation, and increased p53 recruitment to the chromatin. In human prostate tumor samples, VPRBP protein overexpression correlated with AR amplification, OGT overexpression, a shorter time to postoperative biochemical progression and poor clinical outcome. In clinical transcriptomic data, VPRBP expression was positively correlated with the AR and also with AR activity gene signatures.ImplicationsIn conclusion, we have shown that VPRBP/DCAF1 promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation by restraining p53 activation under the influence of the AR and OGT