Liberal democracy, a political system marked not only by free and fair elections, but also by the rule of law, a separation of powers and the protection of basic liberties of speech, religion, assembly, and property (Zakaria 1997: 22), has for a long time formed part of theoretical debates in political science, and recently it has been hailed as the preferred political system. According to Mattes (2003) it is the only system in the world designed to maximize human dignity, freedom as well as distribute sovereignty amongst its people. However, there has been wide acknowledgement of a possible new threat to liberal democracy and democratic consolidation: HIV/AIDS. Indeed, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is being depicted as one of the biggest threats to the democratic system in Africa today. Mozambique is not immune to the above crisis. The first case of HIV/AIDS was diagnosed in 1986. This was followed by a steady increase in the prevalence rate to an estimated 16.2% among the population aged 15 to 49 years in 2004. In July 2004, the government declared HIV/AIDS a national emergency (UNICEF 2005). This study assesses the possible impacts that the pandemic might have in Mozambique and on efforts of consolidating democracy by looking at two indicators of democratic consolidation, namely, civil society and economic growth. The study concludes that notwithstanding efforts at halting and minimising the spread of HIV/AIDS by government, civil society and international organizations prevalence rates in Mozambique continue to rise. Prevalence rates rose from a low average of 11 percent in 2000 to 12.7 percent in 2001, 13.6 percent in 2002, and 16.2 percent in 2004 and 2006 (allAfrica.com 2007). The study concludes that the rise in prevalence rates affects Mozambique‘s civil society and the economy, mainly the agricultural sector and household economy. The impact that the pandemic has on these sectors of society may in turn have an impact on the quality of democracy and the prospects for democratic consolidation in Mozambique. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Political Sciences / unrestricted

This thesis deals with the fast-growing trees (FGT). The aim of the work will be to create a list of parameters, limiting or conditioning the creation of supply chains (or clusters), focused on the exploitation of local renewable energy sources. The theoretical part will focus on the harvest of FGT and their possible utilization. The practical part includes the views of people, representing different areas. The practical part will also include the calculation of area performance and initial costs in setting up FGT at the village of Smilovy Hory. In conclusion, findings will be summarized and evaluated.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cvs 'Altaswede' (2n=2X=14) and 'Norseman' (2n=4X=28) were used in the present study to investigate tissue culture initiation, plant regeneration and the occurrence of somaclonal variation. Hypocotyl explants of aseptic seedlings were inoculated into L2 medium containing 0.06 mg/1 Picloram and 0.1 mg/1 benzyladenine for callus induction. Calli were usually induced after two weeks of culture. Callus induction frequency was 60% to 85% of the explants cultured with 'Altaswede' showing a slightly higher frequency than 'Norseman'. Satisfactory results were obtained under dark or light conditions using either test tubes or petri plates, as culture vessels. After callus induction, an experiment was conducted to regulate shoot induction by subculturing the calli on L2 medium containing 0.01 mg/1 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and 2 mg/1 adenine (LSE) and on B₅ medium containing 2 mg/1 naphthalene acetic acid and 2 mg/1 adenine, media which have been reported to be shoot-supportive. However, both media failed to initiate shoots under the present experimental conditions. Further tests confirmed that LSE medium did not induce shoots from these calli and that callus growth on LSE medium steadily deteriorated over several subcultures. Subsequently, various media were tested with an emphasis on different combinations of growth regulators. Root differentiation from these calli was frequently observed. Shoots were initiated from some calli when they were transferred from SCP medium to media containing naphthalene acetic acid and kinetin. Embryogenic callus of one genotype was selected and maintained on LSP medium, leading to the regeneration of numerous plants. Supplementation with arginine, glutamic acid and casein hydrolysate did not show a significant effect on callus growth and differentiation. The source of callus influenced rates of growth and the occurrence of differentiation. Usually 'Norseman' calli grew faster and produced more roots than 'Altaswede' calli, while shoots were induced only from 'Altaswede' calli. Although 'Norseman' had more shoot tips induced to produce multiple shoots, the multiple shoot number per culture of 'Altaswede' was higher than that of 'Norseman'. Shoot tip cultures were also established to induce multiple shoots and to regenerate plants via root organogenesis. Regenerants from initial multiple shoots (RG1), multiple shoots after two subcultures (RG2), three-month calli (RG3) and one-year calli (RG4) were evaluated for chromosome number stability, morphology and several biochemical traits. When 'Altaswede' plants were analysed for chromosome number, RG1 and RG3 plants were normal, while one RG2 plant and 23% of 119 RG4 plants had tetraploid chromosome numbers. Regenerated plants were quite stable regarding their isozyme patterns of malate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucose isomerase, phosphoglucomutase and shikimate dehydrogenase and their nodule leghaemoglobin profiles. Morphologically, the leaflet length to width ratio of RG1, RG2 and RG3 plants of 'Altaswede' showed significantly more variation than control plants (P≤0.01), while RG4 plants of 'Altaswede' and RG1 and RG2 plants of 'Norseman' were not different from control plants. It is suggested that the absence of detectable differences in the RG4 'Altaswede' plants was a consequence of their origin from one original genotype. Variability and stability of regenerated plants are discussed. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Orientador: Sarita Leonel / Banca: Marco Antonio Tecchio / Banca: Jackson Mirellys Azevedo Souza / Resumo: As propriedades físicas e químicas dos substratos são fatores que podem influenciar no desenvolvimento de mudas cítricas. Objetivou-se verificar o quanto as proporções de mistura influenciam no desenvolvimento de portaenxertos cítricos até a fase de enxertia e vir a ser novas formulações para citros. O presente trabalho foi dividido em dois experimentos, sendo realizados no viveiro da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Departamento de Ciência Florestal, em Botucatu - SP. No experimento 1, avaliou-se o desenvolvimento do portaenxerto citrumeleiro 'Swingle' em substratos com as seguintes composições: substrato comercial granulometria fina (1); substrato comercial granulometria superfina (2); substrato 50% turfa sphagnum, 30% vermiculita fina, 20% casca de arroz (3); substrato 50% turfa sphagnum, 30% vermiculita superfina, 20% casca de arroz (4); substrato 50% turfa sphagnum, 20% vermiculita fina, 30% casca de arroz (5); substrato 50% turfa sphagnum, 20% vermiculita superfina, 30% casca de arroz (6). Este experimento foi subdividido em duas fases: sementeira (fase 1) e viveiro (fase 2). Na fase 1, o delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com seis combinações de substrato, quatro repetições e 51 plantas por parcela experimental. Quando as plantas estavam aptas ao transplantio para sacolas, foram analisadas ao acaso, 8 plantas por tratamento. Na fase 2, o delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, tendo-se seis substratos com quatro repetições... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The physical and chemical properties of substrates are factors that can influence some development of citrus seedlings. It was verified how much these proportions of mixture can influence the development of 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock until grafting and if it can be new formulations for citrus. The present work was divided in two experiments, being realized in the plants nursery of the São Paulo State University, Department of Foresty Science in Botucatu-SP. In experiment 1, the development of the 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock on substrates with the following compositions: commercial substrate granulometry fine (1); commercial substrate granulometry superfine (2), Substrate 50% peat moss, 30% vermiculite fine, 20% rice husk (3); Substrate 50% peat moss, 30% vermiculite superfine, 20% rice husk (4); Substrate 50% peat moss, 20% vermiculite fine, 30% rice husk (5); Substrate 50% peat moss, 20% vermiculite superfine, 30% rice husk (6). The experiment 1 was subdivided into two phases: sowing period (period 1) and seedlings nursery (period 2). The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design in 6 x 4, with 51 plants per replications in the period 1. It was analysed eight plants per repetition when the plants are able to transplant for containers. The second period was arranged in a completely randomized design, with 6 substrates types, 4 repetitions composed by 20 plants. Every 28 days were collected 3 plants per repetition for analyses. It was concluded the substrates with 30% rice husk weren't satisfactory for the development of 'Swingle' citrumeleiro. The substrates 1 (commercial substrate granulometry fine), 2 (commercial substrate granulometry superfine) and 4 (Substrate 50% peat moss, 30% vermiculite superfine, 20% rice husk) provided a better development of the rootstock until grafting period, according to the management used. In the second experiment, it was evaluated if the ... / Mestre

No description available.

<p>Carbohydrases have been used to improve fiber utilization in monogastric animals. However, their effects on animal performance and nutrient digestibility have been inconsistent in pigs. The efficacy of carbohydrases has been suggested to depend on enzyme activity and fiber composition, but recent evidence suggests other factors like environmental conditions may play significant role. The effect of heat stress (HS) on the efficacy of a multienzyme carbohydrase blend in growing pigs was investigated. It was hypothesized that HS alters the efficacy of carbohydrases. Ninety-six growing pigs (gilts:barrows; 1:1) (initial BW of 20.15±0.18 kg) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments, with 8 replicates of 2 pigs replicate pen in a 3×2 factorial arrangement: three levels of carbohydrase (0, 1X or 2X) and two room temperature conditions (20^oC constant or cyclical 28^oC night time and 35^oC daytime). The 1X is the recommended commercial dose of the enzyme (50g/tonne) and provides 1250 visco-units endo-β-1,4-xylanase, 4600 units α-L-arabinofuranosidase and 860 visco-units endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase per kg of feed. The 2X dose was 100g/tonne. Pigs were fed ad libitum for 28 days and 1 pig per pen was sacrificed at d28. Heat stress increased the respiratory rate and skin temperature (P<0.001). There was no enzyme × temperature effect on response criteria. Enzyme treatment quadratically increased BW d28 (P=0.025), ADG (P=0.022) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P=0.032) with 1X being the highest. Heat stress reduced the BW at d14 (P=0.002) and d28 (P=0.006), average daily gain (ADG) (P=0.005) and ADFI (P<0.001). However, there was a trend of increased gain: feed ratio (G/F) (P=0.093) in the HS pigs compared to the thermoneutral (TN). Heat stress increased apparent jejunal digestibility (AJD) of energy (P=0.039) and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of calcium (P=0.007). ADFI was positively correlated to ADG (r=0.57; P<0.001) but negatively correlated to G/F (r=-0.42; P=0.003). Enzyme supplementation increased in vitro viscosity at 3, 4 and 5 hours (P value). Heat stress reduced serum glucose concentration on d1 (P=0.0002) but increased serum non esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration (P=0.002). A similar trend to NEFA was observed in triacylglycride (TAG). In the jejunum, carbohydrases had trend for increased villi height (P=0.07) while HS reduced villi height (P=0.02). Heat stress increased the jejunal mRNA abundance of IL1β in the jejunum (P<0.001). There was a trend for a reduction in ileal MUC2 (P=0.092), occludin (P=0.091) due to HS, with the trend increasing in PEPT1 (P=0.064). There was no effect of HS on alpha diversity of fecal microbiome, but sampling day affected beta diversity. There was an increase in the abundance of pathogenic bacteria (like Clostridium) in the HS group. Heat stress did not alter the efficacy of carbohydrase but both carbohydrase and HS modulate pig performance independently.</p>

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of rapid growth on the various revenue and expenditure categories at the local level. A model is presented to project local revenues and expenditures based upon projected per capita income, population, and average daily attendance. The model is based upon previous models from a review of the literature with modification and additions by the author. Revenues and expenditures are estimated simultaneously reflecting the budgetary process at the local level. Coefficients in the model are estimated using sample data from Duchesne and Uintah counties. These coefficients are then used to project the effects of oil shale development in the region. Different policies and changes in current policies are presented to lessen or alleviate the adverse impacts of rapid growht on local cities and school districts.

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Populations of federally-listed gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are in decline in Mississippi. Soil and forage quality may be linked to their health and recruitment. To gain a better understanding of existing soil and forage quality conditions on areas inhabited by gopher tortoises, I investigated soil chemistry parameters, forage nutrients, and plant community characteristics from 2012 to 2013. These parameters were collected on 7 soil and habitat management treatment types in uplands on public forest lands in south Mississippi. Soil sample analyses indicated that most pH levels in soils were acidic (pH < 5.0) to strongly acidic (pH < 4.5). Greatest soil calcium levels were detected on growing season burn, moderately suitable soil areas, and soil phosphorus levels were greatest on mowed, less suitable soil areas. Greatest levels of nutrients were detected at 0 – 10 cm soil depths. Weak, positive associations were detected between soil pH and soil calcium and magnesium levels, while weak, negative associations were detected between soil pH and soil phosphorus levels. Greater levels of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus were detected in plants collected in mowed, less suitable soil areas. Cacti, forbs and, legumes were found to have greatest nutrient levels of all the plant growth forms. Moderate, positive associations were detected between soil pH and calcium levels in legumes and vines. Weak, positive associations were detected between soil pH and forage calcium levels in forbs and native grasses. Very weak, positive associations were detected between soil pH and forage phosphorus levels in vines. I found greatest species richness and percent coverage of legumes and forbs on moderately suitable soils that received growing season fire; whereas, greater species richness and percent coverage of native grasses were detected on moderately suitable soil regardless of season of burn. Greatest percent coverage of cacti (puntia sp.) and greatest quantities of above-ground plant biomass were detected on mowed, less suitable soil areas. This information can be valuable to habitat evaluation and management for gopher tortoises.

No description available.