Optimisation of C:N Ratio for Co-Digested Processed Industrial FoodWaste and Sewage Sludge Using the BMP Test

Biomethane production from processed industrial food waste (IFW) in admixture with sewage sludge (primary and waste activated sludge: PS and WAS) was evaluated at a range of C:N ratios using a standard biochemical methane potential (BMP) test. IFW alone had a C:N of 30 whereas for WAS it was 5.4 and thus the C:N ratio of the blends fell in that range. Increasing the IFW content in mix improves the methane potential by increasing both the cumulative biogas production and the rate of methane production. Optimum methane yield 239 mL/g VSremoved occurred at a C:N ratio of 15 which was achieved with a blend containing 11 percent (w/w) IFW. As the fraction of IFW in the blend increased, volatile solids (VS) destruction was increased and this led to a reduction in methane yield and amount of production. The highest destruction of volatile solids of 93 percent was achieved at C:N of 20 followed by C:N 30 and 15. A shortened BMP test is adequate for evaluating optimum admixtures

Assessing the value of seasonal climate forecasts for decision‐making

Seasonal climate forecasts (SCF) can support decision‐making and thus help society cope with and prepare for climate variability and change. The demand for understanding the value and benefits of using SCF in decision‐making processes can be associated with different logics. Two of these would be the need to justify public and private investment in the provision of SCF and demonstrating the gains and benefits of using SCF in specific decision‐making contexts. This paper reviews the main factors influencing how SCF is (or can be) valued in supporting decision‐making and the main methods and metrics currently used to perform such valuations. Our review results in four key findings: (a) there is a current emphasis on economic ex ante studies and the quantification of SCF value; (b) there are fundamental differences in how the value of SCF is defined and estimated across methods and approaches; (c) most valuation methods are unable to capture the differential benefits and risks of using SCF across spatiotemporal scales and groups; and (d) there is limited involvement of the decision‐makers in the valuation process. The paper concludes by providing some guiding principles towards more effective valuations of SCF, notably the need for a wider diversity and integration of methodological approaches. These should particularly embrace ex‐post, qualitative, and participatory approaches which allow co‐evaluation with decision‐makers so that more comprehensive and equitable SCF valuations can be developed in future

An investigation of pressure ulcer risk, comfort and pain in medical imaging

In this study, we investigated the interface pressure of healthy volunteers on medical imaging (MI) table surfaces to determine the risks of developing pressure ulcers (PU). We also investigated volunteers’ perception of pain and comfort while lying on the MI table surfaces. Evidence from this study will enhance the understanding of factors contributing to PU formation and help improve service delivery to patients undergoing MI procedures

Biological and economic optima in a tropical grazing ecosystem in Australia

Our aim in this study was to identify the economically optimal level of use of resources for a grazing system in tropical Australia and to compare it with the biological optimum. Grazing management trials were conducted in the Ord River irrigation area of north-western Australia. Biologists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization provided the biological data. The liveweight gains of Kimberley shorthorn steers were recorded, after a 1-year fattening period, for different grazing management strategies. Five different stocking rates were used on irrigated pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) fertilized with nitrogen at five different rates. All other were applied at fixed, non-limiting levels. The results of the trials were modelled by a liveweight gain production function. This production function was used in an income simulation model to identify economically optimal (profit maximizing) stocking rates. This was done in two stages. First, a base analysis was undertaken on the basis o the economic conditions prevailing in September 1987. Second, sensitivity analysis was applied to the results of the base analysis. The parameters varied were the rate of interest, store cattle prices, finished cattle prices, transport costs and the length of the planning horizon. The biological optimum, when defined as maximum liveweight gain ha, corresponds to a much higher intensity of use of resources than the economic optimum, and yields substantially lower profits or higher losses. These discrepancies increase when economic conditions worsen, or when the planning horizon of graziers is decreased from 50 to 10 years. Therefore, the adoption of the biological optimum cannot result in an econonomically stable grazing system in the medium to long term, when it is highly likely that economic parameters will fluctuate. The economic stability of the system is increased, but is still quite weak, if the economically optimal input combination is utilized. It was not possible to determine whether this economic optimum would result in long-term ecological stability because the relevant data were not collected during the trials. The relevance of management recommendations made to graziers and land administrators would be increased if these recommendations were based on an analysis of both the economic and the ecological stability of grazing systems over the medium to long term. We show in the last part of this study how this could be accomplished

Impact of Tropical Cyclone Warning Information on Incomes of Commercial Tourist Accommodation Operators along the Queensland Coast

An economic evaluation has been undertaken of the impact of warning information issued by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology about tropical cyclones on the revenues of operators of hotels, motels and other commercial tourist accommodation dwellings along the Queensland Coast. The impact was investigated using a combination of cross-sectional and time-series data for the period 1986-96. Tropical cyclone warning information is found to have an effect on the revenues of commercial tourist accommodation operators. However, this effect is small when considered as a proportion of total revenues of commercial tourist accommodation operators.Hotels

Impact of Tropical Cyclone Warning Information on Incomes of Commercial Tourist Accommodation Operators along the Queensland Coast

An economic evaluation has been undertaken of the impact of warning information issued by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology about tropical cyclones on the revenues of operators of hotels, motels and other commercial tourist accommodation dwellings along the Queensland Coast. The impact was investigated using a combination of cross-sectional and time-series data for the period 1986-96. Tropical cyclone warning information is found to have an effect on the revenues of commercial tourist accommodation operators. However, this effect is small when considered as a proportion of total revenues of commercial tourist accommodation operators.Hotels

Farmers' perceptions of the quality of extension services provided by non-governmental organisations in two municipalities in the Central Region of Ghana

Since independence in 1957, the provision of major support services for farmers such as physical infrastructure and research services for the agricultural sector in Ghana has been the preserve of the government. However, with respect to agricultural credit, extension and marketing services, there has been a mix of both public and private sector participation with public services declining in quantity over the period of structural adjustment programmes in the country beginning in 1983-2006. Over this 24-year period, government involvement in extension delivery to farmers declined. Since 2007 the level of government support for the agricultural sector has increased considerably with government support for investment in agriculture outpacing its recurrent expenditures for the sector. The decline of government extension delivery led to an increased role for not-for-profit organizations such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in supporting farmers. We assessed the quality of extension services provided by four NGOs in two municipalities of the Central Region of Ghana: Mfantseman and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEAA). The study was based on random sampling of farmers with the gender used as the key attribute in the choice of the optimal random sample. Beneficiary farmers assessed six main services provided by NGOs, namely information support, input supply, training, technology transfer, credit and monitoring and evaluation of extension activities. Farmers generally perceived the services to be relevant to their operations. However, they had mixed opinions concerning the services with respect to their adequacy, availability and their timeliness of supply. Monitoring and evaluation of extension activities by NGOs was generally acceptable.7 page(s