Este estudo tem como base a análise do material cerâmico do sítio arqueológico Cavalo Branco, um sítio Tupi de terra firme encontrado em área periférica amazônica, próximo ao curso médio-baixo do rio Tocantins. A comparação dos resultados desse com os de outros sítios estudados nas proximidades permitiu inferir sobre diversos aspectos dos Tupi do leste amazônico. O conjunto de dados relacionados à arqueologia, etno-história e etnografia indicou um caráter singular para esses "novos" Tupi, desde aspectos relacionados à cerâmica a padrões de assentamento e morfologia aldeã. Os resultados sugerem um diferencial para esses grupos, que não podem ser relacionados nem com a sub-tradição Guarani nem com a sub-tradição Tupinambá. / The main aim of this study is the analysis of the ceramic material from the Cavalo Branco site, a highland Tupi site, located in the Amazon periphery, near the Tocantins River. Comparing the results obtained from this material with those from other nearby sites it was possible to make inferences about several aspects of the eastern Amazonic Tupi. The archaeological, ethno-historic, and ethnographic data indicated a singular characterization for these "new" Tupi, such as aspects related to the ceramics, settlement patterns and village morphology. The results suggested a differential for these groups, which cannot be related to the Guarani or the Tupinambá sub-tradition.

Highland games play a unique cultural role in Scotland, as a platform for indigenous sporting competition, traditional music and dance. There has been very little academic attention paid to Highland games and this is a first attempt to capture a detailed account of multiple events across Scotland. Organised by volunteers and operating the events on a not-for-profit basis, the majority of Highland games are self-sustaining, relying on the ingenuity and commitment of committee members. The political forces in Scotland do not appear to acknowledge or understand the importance of Highland games to communities; or the social, cultural and economic benefits they create, whilst contributing substantially to Scotland’s event and tourism industries. Key themes within the research objectives are volunteer organisers, sport, events, tourism and culture with social capital theory underpinning the study. The study adopts a mixed methods approach with three phases of data collection. An initial search identified 95 Highland games in Scotland which provided the context and knowledge base from 50 returned surveys. A second survey was conducted with audience members (n=1316) with the third data set collected from interviews with organisers and experts (n=16). The results reveal that Highland games operate in a very fragile financial environment with little support from central government or national tourism and event organisations. The events are well supported by domestic, UK and international visitors and tourists appealing to all age groups, encompassing family and adult social groups while transcending social and cultural diversity. There is evidence of repeat visitation by audience members and competitors to single and multiple events, furthermore, the evidence of bonding and bridging social capital is conclusive within the organising groups and spectators. This study confirms that Highland games collectively contribute to event tourism bringing social and economic benefits to Scotland and could be a key feature of Scotland’s international event and tourism strategies.

In the interactions between fungal endophytes and their hosts, the host may benefit through protection against pathogens and pests, growth promotion and tolerance to abiotic stresses. Non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum endophytes of banana have been shown to reduce the damage caused by the Cosmopolitus sordidus and the burrowing nematode Radopholus similis. The mode of protection against the burrowing nematode involves induced resistance, but the molecular basis of this resistance yet to be demonstrated. It has further been reported that protection of the host by multiple endophytes can lead to better control of target pests, probably because of the multiple modes of action involved. This phenomenon, however, has not been fully demonstrated for F. oxysporum endophytes of banana. This study aimed to investigate the molecular and biochemical basis of endophyte protection of East African Highland bananas (EAHB) against C. sordidus and R. similis. Expression of banana defence-related genes following endophyte inoculation and R. similis challenge varied greatly between the nematode-susceptible cv Nabusa and the nematode-tolerant cv Kayinja. In cv Nabusa, only the peroxidase (POX) and lectin genes were responsive to endophyte colonization of roots, or R. similis challenge. POX and lectin activities were significantly down-regulated 2 and 33 days after endophyte inoculation (dai), respectively. In cv Kayinja, endophyte colonization resulted in transient up-regulation of POX and a down-regulation of endochitinase (PR-3), lectin, pectin acetylesterase (PAE), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and PIR7A (peroxidase). Similar to systemic acquired resistance, PR-1 and catalase activities were up-regulated in the cv Kayinja 33 dai. Genes involved in signal transduction, cell wall strengthening, jasmonic acid pathway and defence molecule transport were differentially expressed in endophyte-inoculated plants. The expression profiles of four defence-related genes following endophyte inoculation and R. similis challenge were studied using quantitative real-time PCR. ABC transporter, Β-1,3-glucan synthase, coronatine insensitive 1 (COI1) and lipoxygenase (LOX) were up-regulated following endophyte inoculation. Β-1,3-glucan synthase and COI1 were highly up-regulated following R. similis challenge of endophyte-inoculated plants of the susceptible cv Nabusa, while COI1 and LOX were highly up-regulated following nematode challenge of endophyte-inoculated plants of the tolerant cv Kayinja. However ABC transporter gene activity was not up-regulated following nematode challenge of plants of both cultivars. UP-regulation of phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes PAL, POX and PPO has been observed in roots following colonization by both pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi. In the current study, endophyte inoculation resulted in down-regulation of PAL activity in both a susceptible (cv Nabusa) and tolerant (cv Yangambi) banana. In cv Nabusa, endophyte inoculation primed PAL activity for up-regulation 30 days post nematode challenge (dpnc). However, in cv Yangambi PAL activity was up-regulated 7 dpnc irrespective of endophyte inoculation. Endophyte inoculation transiently up-regulated POX in cv Nabusa, but activity reduced to the levels in the controls 30 dai. Similar to PAL, R. similis challenge of endophyte-inoculated plants of Nabusa caused significant up-regulation of POX 7 dpnc. Nematode challenge of control plants of cv Yangambi resulted in a non-significant up-regulation of POX compared with non-challenged controls, but a significant up-regulation compared to all endophyte-inoculated plants. PPO activity was transiently up-regulated in cv Nabusa and down-regulated in cv Yangambi 7 dai. For all treatments, PPO activity was significantly reduced between 7 dai and 120 dai (60 dpnc). Fusarium oxysporum endophyte isolates Emb2.4o and V5w2 were successfully marked with benomyl- and chlorate resistance and transformed with fluorescent protein genes, while Eny1.31i, Eny7.11o and V4w5 were marked with benomyl resistance only. Most mutants and fluorescent protein transformants maintained resistance to the selective chemical on PDA and after plant colonization. Benomyl- and chlorate-resistant mutants were successfully used to determine actual plant colonization percentages by inoculated endophytes. Similarly, GFP transformants were successfully used to ascertain the pattern of endophytic root colonization in vivo. In plants dually inoculated with isolates Emb2.4o BR 8 and V5w2 CHR 9, both isolates were recovered from roots and rhizomes 4 weeks after inoculation, but isolate V5w2 CHR 9 proved a better colonizer of the two tissue types. Root colonization by isolate V5w2 CHR 9 was boosted when inoculated dually with Emb2.4o BR 8, while that by Emb2.4o BR 8 was reduced in the presence of V5w2 CHR 9. Where growth advantages were observed for dually inoculated plants, it occurred where plants were challenged with R. similis. In the absence of pests, control plants showed better growth than endophyte-inoculated plants. On the other hand, weevil challenge of control plants resulted in significant reductions in plant height, number of live roots and root fresh weight. Dual endophyte inoculation resulted in a significant reduction in R. similis populations in nematode only challenged plants, compared with plants inoculated with Emb2.4o BR 8 singly and control plants challenged with the nematode. In one replicate banana weevil damage to the outer and inner pseudostem base, and the inner rhizome were significantly reduced for dually-inoculated plants. Copyright / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

Highland terracing systems are a technology used in the ancient Andes to expand the agricultural frontier; then, that technology became an important source of food for the Incas. Research shows that the productivity of land was due to the form of construction of the platforms, but there are few studies that analyze soil fertility. In order to demonstrate the fertility in the terraces, soil physical and chemical properties were compared in three different sectors: terraces at rest, abandoned terraces and a hillside with no technology. They all belong to the terracing system of San Pedro de Laraos town, in Huarochiri, Lima. In all three sectors loam predominates. The soil pH is within the range of high bioavailability of most nutrients (5.5 to 7.5), except for two points on the slope without platforms. The soil electrical conductivity presents ranges that qualify the three areas as "no saline" (< 2 dS / m). The organic matter is in the appropriate percentages (3-5%), especially on the terraces at rest, which also have the highest content of NPK. In conclusion, the soil of the three zones does not differ significantly in their physical parameters, but it differs in the chemical parameters, especially in the content of macronutrients; the better range is in terraces at rest. However, the community of Laraos does not take advantage of it soil fertility; actually, most of their terracing system is abandoned and the structures are in a deterioration process. / Los sistemas de andenería son una tecnología prehispánica utilizada en los Andes para ampliar la frontera agrícola, llegándose a convertir en una importante fuente de alimentos para los Incas. Investigaciones señalan que la productividad de las tierras fue resultado de la forma de construcción de los andenes, pero son pocos los estudios que analizan la condición fértil del suelo propiamente. Para demostrar la fertilidad del suelo de los andenes, se compararon las propiedades físicas y químicas del suelo en tres zonas: andenes en descanso, andenes abandonados y ladera sin andenes, todos pertenecientes al sistema de andenería de la localidad de San Pedro de Laraos, provincia de Huarochirí, Lima. En los tres sectores predomina la textura franca. El pH se encuentra dentro del rango de mayor disponibilidad de nutrientes (5,5 – 7,5), con excepción de dos puntos en la ladera sin andenes. La conductividad eléctrica presenta rangos que califican al suelo de las tres zonas como “no salinos” (0,174 – 0,683 dS/m). La materia orgánica está en los porcentajes adecuados (3 – 5 %), sobre todo en los andenes en descanso, que de igual manera tenían los contenidos más elevados de NPK. Se concluye que el suelo de las tres zonas no difiere significativamente en sus parámetros físicos, pero sí en los parámetros químicos, especialmente en los contenidos de macronutrientes, siendo los andenes en descanso los que presentan valores dentro de los rangos ideales. Sin embargo, la comunidad larahuina no aprovecha la fertilidad de sus suelos, dejando sus andenes abandonados y en proceso de deterioro.

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East African highland bananas (Musa spp., AAA-EA genome group) are a major staple and income-generating fruit crop in the highlands of eastern and central Africa, grown across the countries of the Great Lakes region (i.e. Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and North-West Tanzania). Despite its importance, farmers and researchers are reporting that yields are declining, most notably in areas with low soil fertility. Although numerous studies have been conducted on yield constraints of bananas in the East African highland region, there is virtually no understanding of the impact of plant density management on the yields of these low-input banana systems. The productivity and profitability of various plant densities was studied in contrasting agro-ecological sites of Rwanda (Ruhengeri, Rusizi, Karongi, Butare, Ruhango, Kibungo and Bugesera), that differed distinctly in terms of altitude (1400-1960 m a.s.l), temperature (17-20°C), annual rainfall (950-1400 mm yr-1) and soil types (Nitisols, Ferralsols, Acrisols and Andosols). Under those cropping systems, the plant density is one management factor that resource poor farmers have some control over. An on-farm survey was conducted in all sites to determine the influence of climatic and edaphic factors on variations in on-farm plant density practices and bunch mass. In addition, three researcher-managed banana density experiments were conducted in contrasting agroecological sites (Kibungo low rainfall with medium soil fertility, Rubona high rainfall with low soil fertility and Ruhengeri high rainfall with high soil fertility) to (i) investigate the influence of plant density on the vegetative growth and yield parameters of AAA-EA bananas for typical highland agro-ecological zones, (ii) to assess the effect of plant density on nutrient deficiencies and imbalances, and (iii) to assess the magnitude and variability of nutrient depletion in the smallholder banana systems that are characterized by low external input use. Three different local EA highland banana varieties (i.e. “Ingaju”-cooking type, “Injagi”- cooking type, “Intuntu”-beer type) were each planted at five different plant densities (plants ha-1) of 1428, 2500, 3333, 4444 and 5000. Agronomic data (growth and yield traits) were collected over two cropping cycles (plant and ratoon crops). Soil, plant and climate data were also collected. Approaches such as compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND), boundary line functions and yield gap analysis were used to quantify the contribution of each identified yield limiting factor to yield gap. A first order magnitude of nutrient depletion was determined using partial nutrient balance calculations. Plant density positively correlated with water supply (i.e. difference between rainfall and evapotranspirative demand of bananas), with highest plant densities (>1500 mats ha-1) found in high rainfall areas (>1200 mm yr-1) with water surplus (218-508 mm yr-1) and lowest plant densities (1000-1400 mats ha-1) found in lower rainfall areas (1000-1200 mm yr-1) with water deficit (from -223 to -119 mm yr-1). Bunch masses were significantly higher at the lowest plant densities (18.1-20.8 kg fresh mass plant-1) when compared to the highest plant densities (14.7-15.5 kg). Lower soil and banana leaf nutrient contents were observed on weathered soils (Acrisols) and were associated with smaller bunch mass in comparison to fertile soils (Andosols, Nitisols). Farmers tended to reduce mat densities (i) if they wanted to intercrop, and (ii) to increase bunch mass to adapt to market preferences for large bunches. The plant densities generally recommended by extension bodies (3 × 3 or 2 × 3 m; i.e. 1111 and 1666 mats ha-1, respectively) are seldom practiced by farmers, nor do they seem to be very appropriate from an agronomic or economic perspective. Per hectare bunch and above ground biomass yields increased with increasing plant density, but maximum yield strongly depended on agro-ecological site. Bunch yields of beer bananas continued to increase with density, but maximum yields for the cooking cultivars were observed at 4444 plants ha-1 at Kibungo and Rubona, whereas yields continued to increase linearly beyond this level at Ruhengeri. Relationships between bunch yield, the total above ground dry matter yields and soil chemical properties suggest that nutrient deficiencies were larger at Kibungo (i.e. notably K) and Rubona (i.e. K, P, Ca, Mg) when compared with Ruhengeri. With increasing densities, leaf area index (LAI) continues to increase up to a value of 4 with 95% of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) intercepted by the crop canopy. This suggests that further density and LAI increases would probably have little additional positive effect on total per hectare production. Compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) indices showed that K, Mg and P were the most deficient elements in areas with low inherent soil fertility (Kibungo and Rubona) compared with relatively fertile areas (Ruhengeri). The boundary line functions and yield gap analysis also confirmed that K was the most limiting factor, contributing to an expected yield gap of 55.3% at Kibungo, while P and Mg contributed to a 35% yield gap at Rubona. An increase in plant density resulted in an increase in average yield gap from 45.6 % to 70.2% at Kibungo, whilst average yield gap decreased significantly from 47.5% to 30.2% at Rubona, and 76.6 to 53.7% at Ruhengeri. Nutrient uptake increased with plant density. Partial N and K balances (kg ha-1 yr-1) were estimated to be strongly negative at Rubona and Ruhengeri, while Ca and Mg were positive at Kibungo and Ruhengeri, but negative at Rubona. The results of this study indicate that, generally, soil fertility is a more limiting factor than water, but both CND norms and boundary line analysis showed that expected yield gaps seem to be high for plant density due to low inherent soil fertility. Partial nutrient balances provide a first order magnitude of nutrient depletion. Nutrient mining is significant, particularly for K. The current extraction rates will not allow farmers to sustain their yields, and options should be developed to improve the productivity of EAH banana cropping systems. The limited availability of manure and inorganic fertilizers is a real threat to the food and income security role that banana production plays in smallholder systems. In summary, the results from this study suggest the optimal density for bananas depends on water availability, soil fertility and cultivar. The agronomic optimal plant density is lower (< 4444 plants ha-1) in low rainfall (< 1000 mm yr-1) and less fertile areas, but seems to be higher (> 5000 plants ha-1) in areas with high fertility, which receive high rainfall (> 1300 mm yr-1). Improved plant density management can serve as an important entry point for resource poor farmers to maximize yield potential of EAH bananas in the various production zones. Blanket density recommendations do not make sense. While farmers can significantly improve their banana production, increased densities will put significant additional stress on limited nutrient resources, and region-specific integrated soil fertility recommendations should be developed and adopted to ensure sustained improvements of banana production and smallholder livelihoods. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

- Morphostructural analysis of Ethiopian Highland based on remote sensing The morphometric analysis of lineaments, valleys and signs of erosion taken from a digital elevation model (DEM) made it possible to not only confirm most of the conclusions of the morphotectonic development of the area from the previously published results of structural, petrological, tectonic and geochronological analyses from the Ethiopian Highlands, but to also to expand our knowledge by applying several new hypotheses. Faults, lineaments and valleys are predominantly oriented in a direction compatible to the published concepts of the tectonic development of the area. Overall, the most abundant NE-SW and NNE-SSW lines reflect a change of extension from a NW-SE to WNW-ESE direction during the Pliocene (~40ř rotation), in relation to the creation and development of the Main Ethiopian Rift. The most pronounced morphological manifestations of the extension of the MER and western Afar during the Quaternary are confined to the borders of the MER, and the maximum SOLR values indicate a very short-lived effect of the stress field on the development of the landscape. The directions of the Pre-Neogene rift structures to the NW-SE and WNW-ESE are compatible with the oldest elements of the current landscape, i.e. the most developed...

The purpose of this dissertation is to prompt ecclesial imagination for the sake of envisioning and reshaping contemporary ecclesiology and church practice in more liberative forms. The thesis is that non-dominant theologies and historical narratives are sources that prompt ecclesial imagination and can potentially reshape ecclesiology and church practice. *Feminist Ecclesiology and a Liberating Counterhistory analyzes and interprets two such non-dominant sources in two case studies: *feminist ecclesiological writing on the church from the 1968 to 2020, and the archeological evidence of ancient Iron Age I Hebrew highland settlements, which pre-date biblical narratives and support a counter-narrative to conquest, namely a non-militaristic response to empire and societal collapse. This dissertation utilizes the term *feminist to indicate the full range of white feminist, womanist, mujerista, Latin American, African, and Asian women’s ecclesiologies. The asterisk is meant to disrupt the totalizing tendency of the generic term feminist to imply only white feminist perspectives. The review of literature and textual analysis of *feminist ecclesiological discourses reveal four prominent conceptual themes, identified as four marks of the *feminist church: holistic, incarnate, utopic, and apostolic. The study of the highland settlements focuses on archeological findings, such as Iron Age I pottery, building foundations, and other material artifacts. A *feminist analysis of the settlements uncovers a liberative counterhistory that contrasts with genocidal and militaristic narrations of the origins of the Hebrew people in Canaan, such as found in Joshua 1-11. Although the two case studies are drawn across great expanses of time and in different cultural settings, a close look reveals important resonances that make them a congruent pairing, albeit unexpected. Individually, they have much to offer towards ecclesial imagination. Interpreted together, the two cases are grounded in the depths of historical tradition, and offer nuanced critiques and imagination for the present, while simultaneously reaching towards an alternative future. The dissertation concludes with integrative insights that demonstrate how the highland settlement evidence can augment the *feminist marks of the church. Building upon these discoveries, the final chapter offers five principles of practice, suggesting ways that the cases and their integrative interpretation can prompt ecclesial imagination and practices for the future church.

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