Risk mapping of Rinderpest sero-prevalence in Central and Southern Somalia based on spatial and network risk factors

The Somali livestock production system is oriented towards domestic trade and export with seasonal movement patterns of herds/flocks in search of water and pasture and towards export points. The objective of the study is to develop a predictive spatial model of presence of rinderpest.Habka loo diyaariyo xoola soomaliyeed ee loogu talagalay in lagu iibiyo dalka gudihiisa ama dibaddiisa, iyagoo xoolahaas loo kaxaynaayo hadba meeshi biyo iyo baad leh iyo goobtii laga dhoofinayaba. Qasdiga daraasaadkaani wuxuu yahay sidii loo hormarin lahaa habka looga hortegi lahaa cudurrada faafa ee lo'da.Il sistema di produzione di bestiame somalo è orientato verso il commercio interno e l'esportazione con movimenti stagionali delle mandrie/greggi in cerca di acqua e pascoli e verso i luoghi di esportazione. L'obiettivo dello studio è quello di sviluppare un modello spaziale predittivo della presenza di peste bovina

Effects of the load size on the maximum local SAR at 7T

In this study we investigated the effects of the load size on the maximum local SAR at 7T. Specifically, we resorted to: i) 3D full wave numerical electromagnetic simulations for analyzing a surface loop loaded with anatomic human calves models; ii) 2D analytical approach for analyzing a volume resonator loaded with homogeneous cylindrical phantoms having average tissue dielectric properties. In both cases we noticed that the maximum local SAR decreases with decreasing load size: this holds true if the RF magnetic fields (B1+) for the different load sizes are scaled so to achieve the same slice average value of 1ìT

Stomatal characteristics of two olive cultivars 'Frantoio' and 'Leccino'

A number of dry-down/recovery experiments were performed in three different growing seasons to determine stomatal changes in fully-expanded leaves of olive (cvs. "Frantoio" and "Leccino") plants grown in containers with different watering regimes or by withholding irrigation for up to four weeks. The level of water deficit was assessed by measurements of pre-dawn leaf water potential, whereas gas exchange parameters were measured by infrared gas analysis (IRGA). Stomatal density and aperture were determined by Low Temperature Scanning Electron Microscopy (LTSEM). The water use efficiency of cv. "Leccino" was significantly higher than that of cv. "Frantoio" mainly because of higher leaf conductance of the latter cultivar under well-watered conditions. In plants subject to severe water deficit (pre-dawn leaf water potential less than -1.5 MPa) the differences in water use efficiency disappeared. A more marked decrease in leaf water potential was measured in the cv. "Frantoio" than in cv. "Leccino" during dry-down cycles. Both cultivars recovered equally well upon relief of stress. Low temperature scanning electron microscopy images showed that stomata of cv. "Frantoio" were larger and more open than those of cv. "Leccino", confirming results of gas exchange measurements by IRGA

The Somali chilled meat value chain: Structure, operation, profitability and opportunities to improve the competitiveness of Somalia's chilled meat export trade

Export-oriented pastoral livestock production is an important source of livelihood of the Somali people. The country is largely food deficient, with imports forming a significant proportion of basic food requirements and which are largely financed through earnings from exports of live animals and meat. The export of meat products offers more avenues for increased earnings and tax revenue by exploiting the available opportunities for domestic value addition, than does live animal trade. This study characterizes the Somali chilled export meat value chain in terms of actors, institutions and practices, and provides an initial analysis of their profitability in handling four species of livestock. It also canvasses actors' views on opportunities and constraints faced. Its main objective is to provide information that will enable development of strategies to improve the efficiency of the Somali chilled meat export value chain as a way of increasing incomes to market actors. Primary data used was obtained from a rapid appraisal of chilled meat export marketing value chains in Somalia and a formal survey of market actors (brokers, small-scale traders, agents of exporters, exporters and airfreight operators). Secondary data obtained from a review of relevant literature and interviews with expert informants was also generated. The study identified a widely-recognized and consistently-applied grading system for slaughter stock. Quality requirements in importing countries were revealed to be well known throughout the chain, in that actors' rankings of attributes were consistent within and between actor stages. Conversely, knowledge of health and safety requirements in the importing countries was known only to exporters. Other inconsistencies throughout the chain included the nature and strength of trading relationships: long-lived at exporter and agent level but short term and cash-based at producer level. Although exporters made payments mostly on the basis of carcass weight, agents of exporters paid based on per head of live animals. There is evidence of economies of scale, and of financial advantage in species specialization (specifically, goats) by traders. Most actors' aspirations feature expansion, but they report investment funding as their main constraint. The report presents preliminary recommendations for public and private sectors, many predicated on further study. These focus on value addition and information sharing on what constitutes value, building of product identity and legally protecting its unique status, and coordination to address costs

A Rapid Appraisal of Institutions Supporting Somali Livestock Export

This report presents finding of a rapid appraisal of institutions supporting livestock trade and marketing in Somalia. Institutions were conceptualised to encompass the organisations (formal and informal) as well as rules, procedures, and practices either formal or informal that govern the functioning of these oganisations. The appraisal identifi ed the key organisations supporting livestock trade and marketing in Somalia; evaluated the roles played by each organisation, identifi ed the rules and practices followed by these organisations in executing their functions and analysed the constraints they faced in carrying out their activities. The aim of the appraisal was to use the derived information to suggest interventions that would enable the organisations effectively perform their roles in improving livestock trade and marketing in Somalia. Emphasis was put on organisations involved in livestock marketing information flow, application of grades and standards in livestock products, and, livestock export promotion

SAR prediction in adults and children by combining measured B1+ maps and simulations at 7.0 Tesla

Purpose: To predict local and global specific absorption rate (SAR) in individual subjects. Materials and Methods: SAR was simulated for a head volume coil for two imaging sequences: axial T1-weighted "zero" time-of-echo (ZTE) sequence, sagittal T2-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR). Two head models (one adult, one child) were simulated inside the coil. For 19 adults and 27 children, measured B1+ maps were acquired, and global (head) SAR estimated by the system was recorded. We performed t-test between the B1+ in models and human subjects. The B1+ maps of individual subjects were used to scale the SAR simulated on the models, to predict local and global (head) SAR. A phantom experiment was performed to validate SAR prediction, using a fiberoptic temperature probe to measure the temperature rise due to ZTE scanning. Results: The normalized B1+ standard deviation in subjects was not significantly different from that of the models (P > 0.68 and P > 0.54). The rise in temperature generated in the phantom by ZTE was 0.3°C; from the heat equation it followed that the temperature-based measured SAR was 2.74 W/kg, while the predicted value was 3.1 W/kg. Conclusion: For ZTE and FLAIR, limits on maximum local and global SAR were met in all subjects, both adults and children. To enhance safety in adults and children with 7.0 Tesla MR systems, we suggest the possibility of using SAR prediction