Twenty-Three Years of Insect Pollinator-Dependent Crop Studies in Agro-Ecological Zones of Cameroon (2011-2020)

Cultivation of pollinator-dependent crops has expanded globally, increasing our reliance on insect pollination. This essential ecosystem service is provided by a wide range of managed and wild pollinators whose abundance and diversity are thought to be in decline, threatening sustainable food production. In Cameroon, several studies on pollinator-dependent crops carried out in different agro-ecological zones (AEZ) have been published in national and international journals, in order to present the importance and impact of flowering insects on fruit and seed yields of plant species. We proposed to produce a review article highlighting the different flowering insects and their importance for different plants according to AEZ, without however focusing on the quality of the journal (predator or non-predator) and how the different insects were identified (scientific names given in the publications). Thus, from 1997 to 2020, we collected 116 published papers from which only 26 were kept for this review. The results show that Hymenoptera, including the Apidae, followed by Megachilidae, are the most excellent pollinators of plant species in Cameroon, and they are present in different agro-ecological zones. The majority of publications focused on bees, particularly the honeybee Apis mellifera.

Preservation Potentials of Essential Oils of Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum gratissimum from Two Agro-Ecological Zones on Freshwater Smoke-Dried Oreochromis niloticus Fish Sold in Some Local Markets in Cameroon

Dried fish are susceptible to bacteria and fungi attack and are liable to chemical changes which cause losses in quality and reduction of shelf-life. It is important therefore to maintain the quality of fish because continuous consumption of contaminated fish and their products may predispose consumers to health hazards. Maintenance of high quality fish therefore calls for adequate and effective preservation techniques. The study examined the effectiveness of essential oils of Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum gratissimum from two Agro-ecological zones of Cameroon in limiting the microbial proliferation and preserving the quality of smoke-dried Oreochromis niloticus fish stored at 25˚C for two months. The plant materials were harvested from the Western Highlands and Monomodal Humid Forest agroecological zones of Cameroon. Extraction of the essential oil from the plants was done by hydro-distillation. The fish species (Oreochromis niloticus) used in this study was chosen based on a survey study on the most consumed species of freshwater smoke-dried fish in the Western Highlands and Monomodal Humid Forest Agro-ecological zones of Cameroon. Heterotrophic bacteria counts, fungi counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts were used to assess the level heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and Enterobacteriaceae respectively in the fish samples during storage and were done by culture techniques using total plate count agar, potato dextrose agar and violet red bile glucose agar respectively. Total volatile basic nitrogen, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assays were used as spoilage indices to assess the nutritional quality of the fish during storage. From the survey study, Oreochromis niloticus was the most consumed smoke-dried fish in the Western Highlands (35.45%) and Monomodal Humid Forest (34.55%) agroecological zones. All the EOs caused a significant reduction in the microbial loads, total volatile basic nitrogen, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance of smoke-dried Oreochromis niloticus as storage progressed. However, the reduction in these values was more pronounced in samples treated with essential oils of O. gratissimum from the Western Highlands, with heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and Enterobacteriaceae counts being 5.89, 6.97 and 4.59 log10 cfu/g respectively at the end of the storage period. This was followed by essential oils of O. gratissimum from the Monomodal Humid Forest with heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and Enterobacteriaceae counts being 6.11, 7.79 and 4.86 log10 cfu/g respectively at the end of the storage period. Also, essential oils of O. gratissimum from the Western Highlands was more effective in preserving the fish quality as lowest total volatile basic nitrogen (12.29 mg/100g), peroxide value (2.79 mEq O2·Kg−1) and thiobabituric reactive substance (1.695 mg MDA/Kg) values were observed for fish samples treated with this extract at the end of the storage period. This was followed by essential oils of O. gratissimum from the Monomodal Humid Forest with total volatile basic nitrogen (14.95 mgN/100g), Peroxide value (3.23 mEq O2·Kg−1) and thiobabituric reactive substance (2.354 mg MDA/Kg) at the end of the storage period. From the results obtained, essential oils from O. gratissimum were more effective than that from O. basilicum in the two agroecological zones and should be considered as natural alternative to chemical preservatives for further application in food preservation.

Without thought的“无意识”误区——深泽直人(Naoto Fukasawa,1956~)设计观念的思想基础及其开展路径阐析

日本设计师深泽直人提出的without thought本意为“无需思考”,在国内被翻译为“无意识设计”并广为传播,这在一定程度上导致我国学者过分强调该理念中的“无意识”内容而忽视其思想基础,还同时造成一些学者对该设计理念开展路径的误解。深泽直人设计观念的思想基础可以在生态心理学和禅学中找到来源,从个体意义到普遍价值,without thought中的无意识内涵则可从“行为—意义—价值”三个层面来理解。生态心理学和禅学皆有超越“二元”的思想特征,在认识方法上皆反对将他者对象化和主题化,与此呼应,深泽直人认为设计是一种直觉行为,并明确表明自己不用“分析—推理”的方式开展设计工作,概而言之,其接触“无意识”的设计路径旨在让设计者回到由感性直观构成的“生活世界”中,并以“具身性”的方式实现对他者的理解,通过这种“生命体验”扩展自我的边界,进而创造出具有“共感”的作品。

Efficiency of soil and water conservation practices in different agro-ecological environments in the Upper Blue Nile Basin of Ethiopia

In developing countries such as Ethiopia, research to develop and promote soil and water conservation practices rarely addressed regional diversity. Using a water-balance approach in this study, we used runoff plots from three sites, each representing a different agro-ecological environment, e.g., high, mid and low in both elevation and rainfall, in the Upper Blue Nile Basin of Ethiopia to examine the runoff response and runoff conservation efficiency of a range of different soil and water conservation measures and their impacts on soil moisture. The plots at each site represented common land use types（cultivated vs. non-agricultural land use types） and slopes（gentle and steep）. Seasonal runoff from control plots in the highlands ranged 214–560 versus 253–475 mm at midlands and 119–200 mm at lowlands. The three soil and water conservation techniques applied in cultivated land increased runoff conservation efficiency by 32% to 51%, depending on the site. At the moist subtropical site in a highland region, soil and water conservation increased soil moisture enough to potentially cause waterlogging, which was absent at the lowrainfall sites. Soil bunds combined with Vetiveria zizanioides grass in cultivated land and short trenches in grassland conserved the most runoff（51% and 55%, respectively）. Runoff responses showed high spatial variation within and between land use types, causing high variation in soil and water conservation efficiency. Our results highlight the need to understand the role of the agro-ecological environment in the success of soil and water conservation measures to control runoff and hydrological dynamics. This understanding will support policy development to promote the adoption of suitable techniques that can be tested at other locations with similar soil, climatic, and topographic conditions.

Agro-ecological engineering in China: a way towards sustainable agriculture

Sustainable development, as a “hot topic”, concerns not only economic development but also environmental protection. Agriculture, the base of other economic activities, has faced many difficulties that include over growth population, land decrease, and land degradation and so on. Therefore, how to increase the food supply, to meet the over\|growth population demands, is the main task all over the world at present, especially in the developing countries, such as China, but we also must protect agricultural environment for medium\| and long\|term development simultaneously. Hence, sustainable development in agriculture is the most important estate that we must concern. Its sustainable development determines the sustainability of other economic development to a great extent. Despite Chinese government has paid much attention to develop agricultural production and obtained great successions, there are also many shortcomings in Chinese agriculture. Therefore, China must seek new approaches for its development and environmental protection that suit local conditions and are based on local resources. Agro ecological engineering, the application of ecological engineering in agriculture, is very thriving in China in recent decades. In this paper, the ecological, economic and social benefits of agro\|ecological engineering are analyzed. The principles are discussed. The results indicated that agro\|ecological engineering can meet the farmer′s short\|, medium\| and long\|term benefits. In the meanwhile, it also concerns not only economic benefits but ecological and social benefits. Therefore, agro\|ecological engineering is a way that leads to sustainable agriculture in the future in China.

The Dynamic Analysis of Agro-ecological Economic System on the Basis of Emergy: A Case Study of Wu'an City in Hebei Province

Using the method of emergy analysis, we analyze the input and output of agroecological economic system, and select five indicators (net emergy yield ratio, emergy investment ratio, environmental loading ratio, emergy sustainability index, and dominance of emergy yield system) for assessment. The results show that the emergy input-output in Wu'an City is in general on the rise; the emergy investment ratio rises constantly, but the net emergy yield ratio decreases, and the comparative advantage in the prices of agricultural products is gradually lost. At the same time, with increase in the non-renewable industrial support emergy, the environmental pressures are also mounting. In the future agricultural development, it is necessary to pay more attention to the coordination between agricultural development and ecological environment, achieving sustainable development of agriculture.

Discussions and Recommendations about Establishing Agro-ecological Compensation Mechanism in Jiangsu Province

Establishing agro-ecological compensation mechanism is the objective requirement for protecting agricultural ecological environment on the prerequisite of stabilizing and benefiting farmers,to realize protection in the process of development and promote development through protection.This study analyzed existing problems in the practice of establishing agro-ecological compensation mechanism in Jiangsu Province,including failure to form systematic compensation system due to limited technological reserve,failure to bring into play expected compensation effect due to scant attention,and failure to set up perfect input mechanism due to insufficient financing channel.In line with these problems,it came up with feasible policy recommendations,including strictly implementing top frame design for agro-ecological compensation and giving impetus to standardized and institutionalized work,building pilot demonstration area for agro-ecological compensation,setting up diversified agro-ecological compensation approaches,establishing long-term security mechanism for agro-ecological compensation,and strengthening propaganda and education of agro-ecological compensation.It is expected to provide reference for establishing agro-ecological compensation mechanism in Jiangsu Province,and also provide system guarantee for promoting ecological progress and agricultural modernization in Jiangsu Province.

Agro-Ecological Assessment of Non-Traditional Export Crops in North East Trinidad

North-East Trinidad is a low income, underutilized, agro-ecological significant and agricultural community with great potential for producing non-traditional crops for domestic usage and export. Diversification is critical to agro-ecological transitions to ensure food security and nutrition while conserving, protecting and enhancing natural resources. The growing demand for agro-ecological and food security solutions suggest that efforts be made to utilize sustainable agriculture, and agro-ecological methods by utilizing available rural landscapes and communities in an effort to fulfill these demands. Surveys of sustainable agriculture, organic farmers and agro-ecological interests were conducted in the impoverished region of North-East Trinidad. Survey results reported over 180 farmers with >1 - 10 acres of available farmland supported a high agricultural production capacity. The highest average per capita for vegetables was tomato (2.3 acres), for tubers was yam (1.03 acres), and for tree crops was green fig (900 plants). Livestock production was limited with duck production being highest (165). There is an increasing earning potential for small farmers and leaseholders, from utilization of non-traditional export crops and expanding agro-ecological land usage, increasing sustainable agriculture production in the area.

The Spatio-Temporal Variability of Rainfall over the Agro-Ecological Zones of Ghana

Rainfall variability plays an important role in many socio-economic activities such as food security, livelihood and farming in Ghana. Rainfall impact studies are thus very crucial for proper management of these key sectors of the country. This paper examines the seasonal and annual rainfall variability in the four agro-ecological zones of Ghana from the CHIRPS V2 rainfall time series spanning a period of 1981-2015. The rainfall indices were computed with the aid of the FClimDex package whereas the trends of these indices were further tested using the Mann Kendall trend test. The results show good agreement (r ≥ 0.7) between CHIRPS V2 and gauge in almost all portions of country although high biases were observed especially in DJF season over parts of the Northeastern (NE) portions of the country. The mean seasonal rainfall climatology over the country is observed to be in the range of 20 - 80 mm, 60 - 200 mm, 100 - 220 mm and 40 - 180 mm in DJF, MAM, JJA and SON seasons respectively with high intensities of rainfall dominating Southwestern portions of the country. The trend analysis revealed positive trends of consecutive dry days in the Transition, Forest and Coastal zones and negative trends in the Savannah zone of the country. Decreasing trends of consecutive wet days are observed over the Savannah, Transition and Coastal zones whereas increasing trends dominate the Forest zone. Savannah, Forest and Transition zones show weak increasing trends of the number of heavy rainfall days whilst weak decreasing trends are observed over the Coastal zone of the country. Similarly, weak increasing trends of the number of very heavy rainfall days are observed over all the agro-ecological zones except in the Transition zone. It is observed that the annual wet day rainfall total has increasing trend in the Savannah and Forest zones of the country whereas decreasing trends cover the remainder of the zones. The trends of these indices in the agro-ecological zones were all significant at a significant value of 0.05. This paper assessed the performance of the CHIRPS V2 rainfall data over the region and reports on the biases in seasonal rainfall amounts which are limited in previous studies. These findings have adverse impacts on rain-fed agricultural practices, water resource management and food security over the country.

The Physical Universe and the Theoretical Value of Science:Reflections on the Thought of G.Leopardi

The essay has two main purposes.The first consists of discussing some literary and philosophical thoughts on the epistemological value of science by one of the most famous and celebrated poets in Italian literature,Giacomo Leopardi.The poet firmly believes in the cognitive power of science,capable of revealing false beliefs with the light of reason.However,in his mature reflections,what will radically change will not be the value of scientific activity itself,always admirably accepted,but rather its true salvific force.Leopardi was not a scientist,but he used the scientific culture of his time to critically address the great existential themes of man concerning nature and the universe.He had amply demonstrated a scientific culture since his youthful'History of Astronomy',which would reappear in many of his other literary works.His deep and meditative reflections on the nature of finite and infinite space and time are a clear and fruitful testimony to this.However,Giacomo writes icastically,reason alone is not enough;it needs imagination.The second concerns a first reconstruction of the influence that the philosophy of Enlightenment had on Leopardi’s thought especially in relation to these topics:atheism,rejection of providentialism and anthropocentrism,the conception of nature,the question of the relationship between human and animal intelligence,the rejection of metaphysics,the importance of scientific knowledge.

On Master Tanxu’s Thought of the Middle Way

This paper discusses Master Tanxu’s Thought of Middle Way from three aspects:interpreting the Middle Way with the Tiantai Sect’s thought of“Three Truths as a Unity”(三諦圓融),discussing“the Truth of the First Meaning of the Middle Way”(中道第一義諦)from the relationship between“the One Mind”and the Middle Way,and discussing gradations of practice of the Middle Way.

Research on the Cultivation of Craftsmanship in Huang Yanpei’s Education Thought

Skilled talents are the main support for the strategic development of science and technology in China.The quality of talents is an important guarantee for the transformation and upgrading of national industries.By analyzing and studying Huang Yanpei’s thought on vocational education,this paper focuses on the cultivation of students’craftsmanship in vocational schools.First,we analyze the results of previous research and then elaborate on the connotations of Huang Yanpei’s education thought and craftsmanship spirit.Lastly,we propose five suggestions for the cultivation of craftsmanship.Our research work carries certain reference value to the study of craftsmanship cultivation in Huang Yanpei’s education thought.

习近平文化思想的科学内涵、价值意蕴与原创性贡献

确立习近平文化思想是推动实现中华民族伟大复兴的现实需要,也是正确应对国际领域复杂意识形态斗争的迫切需求。习近平文化思想深化了对文化本质和文化自信自强的认识,深化了对文化发展道路的认识,深化了对新时代文化使命的认识,深化了意识形态工作与党和国家中心工作之间关系的认识,深化了对意识形态阵地管理的认识。习近平文化思想回答了新时代我国文化建设举什么旗、走什么路、坚持什么原则、实现什么目标等根本问题,涵盖文化建设的方向、目标、道路、原则等重要方面,是相对完整的思想体系。要正确理解“两个结合”、特别是“第二个结合”,高度重视意识形态安全,在学思用贯通、知信行合一中把学习贯彻习近平文化思想引向深入。

习近平文化思想的内涵、特征与核心要义

习近平文化思想是新时代党领导宣传思想文化建设经验的理论总结与思想提升,极大丰富和发展了马克思主义文化理论,在党的文化事业发展史上具有里程碑意义。从内涵看,习近平文化思想是以文化使命为统领,由文化传承、文化创新、文化权益、文化共识、文化引领等方面构成的完备理论体系。从特征看,习近平文化思想具有鲜明的科学性、人民性、实践性、发展性,不仅体现了习近平文化思想的本质,而且展现了习近平文化思想的理论形象。从核心要义看,习近平文化思想主要围绕保障文化安全、坚定文化自信、建设文化强国、增强文化影响等价值目标为新时代宣传思想文化建设提供思想武器和行动指南,为以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴坚定信念、振奋人心、凝聚力量。

唯物史观与中华优秀传统思想的进步历史观

在中国哲学史上,哲学家们提出了一系列关于社会历史发展规律的观点和看法。中华优秀传统历史观念构成了中华优秀传统思想的进步历史观。中华优秀传统思想的进步历史观包括重“势”的进步社会历史观、对厚古薄今复古主义历史观的批判思想、民本思想、大同思想、“大一统”思想等,蕴含着与唯物史观相契合的合理因素和创新萌芽,在中国社会历史观发展史上产生了积极影响,为马克思主义唯物史观的中国化时代化贡献了中华优秀传统哲学智慧。汲取中华优秀传统思想进步历史观的有益成分,有助于进一步实现唯物史观与中华优秀传统思想进步历史观的有机结合,在“两个结合”中继续推进马克思主义中国化时代化。

习近平文化思想的价值、特质与内在逻辑

习近平文化思想坚持马克思主义的立场观点方法,坚守中华文化立场,是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的文化篇,是中国共产党最新的文化思想成果。习近平文化思想明确了新时代文化建设的路线图和任务书,具有鲜明的实践导向性,为新形势下宣传思想文化工作提供了强大思想武器和科学行动指南。习近平文化思想具有丰富的价值意蕴,丰富和发展了马克思主义文化理论,指明和标注了新时代新的文化使命,也为实现中华民族伟大复兴提供行动指南并注入强大精神动力。习近平文化思想展现出了时代特质,坚守人民立场和政治底色、坚持宏微结合和体用贯通,并彰显了民族特性与世界眼光。习近平文化思想坚持和实现了历史性与现实性的统一,文化本体与文化形态的统一,合规律性与合目的性的统一,内在发展和外在保障的统一。把握习近平文化思想的内在逻辑,有利于深刻认识和理解习近平文化思想生成、存在和发展的内外动因。

习近平文化思想的科学性与实践性

党的十八大以来,习近平总书记高度重视党的宣传思想文化工作,主持召开一系列重要会议、发表一系列重要讲话、提出一系列新思想新观点新论断,形成了习近平文化思想。这一思想是一个内涵丰富、逻辑严密的理论体系,科学回答了关于党的宣传思想文化工作的一系列方向性、根本性、战略性的重大问题。这一思想具有深厚的实践基础,新时代十余年来党的宣传思想文化工作在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指引下,经过“正本清源”与“守正创新”接续努力,取得了历史性成就、发生了历史性变革,也积累了一系列宝贵经验。这一思想正是对党的宣传思想文化工作经验,尤其是新时代实践经验的科学总结。从新时代党的宣传思想文化工作重要经验及其背后逻辑来看,习近平文化思想的科学性和实践性得到进一步彰显和印证,我们党对宣传思想文化工作的规律性认识也进一步深化。

梁启超的导读书目与导读思想

梁启超是开启近现代目录学研究一代风气的启蒙人物,他对导读书目的研究分成了西学书目与国学书目两大类型,并形成宣传西学与推崇国学两个明显的历史分期。梁启超开启的导读书目范式更加强调对读者、读物、读书法等的关注,带有突出的读者服务意识。梁启超的导读书目根植于中国目录学传统,开创了解题兼导读的新型书目,导读的范围兼涉中西,体现出明显的致用属性。

习近平文化思想的核心内容与哲学底蕴

习近平文化思想内涵十分丰富,蕴含着深刻的哲学智慧,在党的宣传思想文化事业发展史上具有里程碑意义。习近平总书记关于把文化建设摆在全局工作的重要位置、“两个结合”的重大论断、创造人类文明新形态以及在文化自信自强中推进中国式现代化的重要论述,构成了习近平文化思想的核心内容。习近平文化思想对马克思主义哲学原理的运用主要体现在:人民至上是其唯物史观品格,实践第一是其认识论源泉,守正创新是其辩证法思维特质。习近平文化思想饱含丰富而深邃的中国哲学智慧:“明体达用、体用贯通”化用了中国哲学“体用之辩”的精髓要义,开放包容体现了中国哲学海纳百川、兼收并蓄的思维智慧,胸怀天下生动诠释了中国哲学的天下观和交往理念。

携手推动构建人类命运共同体在中东的实践

在百年未有之大变局背景下,既需要以更广阔的国际视野考察全球的变化发展,更需要用全新眼光和思维看待和思考同样发生着重大变化的中东,进而抓住中国中东外交的新机遇。在重大变化方面,美国以战略竞争来定义中美关系,并将中东作为开展对华战略竞争的重点区域。美国在中东的主要目标是阻止中国“填补权力真空”,将中国与中东国家的合作限制于低端层次。中国不认可美方关于战略竞争的定义,继续稳步推进既定中东政策,同时积极回应来自美方的围堵打压,维护自身利益。在外交新机遇方面,中国与中东国家以习近平总书记系列重要论述精神为指引加强能源合作,遵循“构建能源立体合作新格局”的战略构想,准确把握共建“一带一路”能源合作高质量发展的实践要求,促进全球能源可持续发展并推动构建能源命运共同体。中国作为正在崛起的大国承担着大国责任。中国共产党十八大以来,中国深度参与中东安全事务治理,习近平外交思想指导下的中国中东安全治理观逐渐成熟,中东安全治理进入新时期。