The Benefish consortium 24 month report WP6: productivity modelling of OWI's and welfare intervention measures

In order to accurately model all costs and benefits associated with welfare interventions for farmed fish it is necessary to establish how any welfare actions affect productivity. Productivity modelling within Benefish has been conducted in WP6. WP6 aimed to model relationships between welfare interventions, changes in OWI’s and measures of productivity. It did so focusing only on the effects which were biological in nature: economic costs and benefits attributed to changes in productivity are addressed in WP8

The impact of heat waves and cold spells on mortality rates in the Dutch population.

We conducted the study described in this paper to investigate the impact of ambient temperature on mortality in the Netherlands during 1979-1997, the impact of heat waves and cold spells on mortality in particular, and the possibility of any heat wave- or cold spell-induced forward displacement of mortality. We found a V-like relationship between mortality and temperature, with an optimum temperature value (e.g., average temperature with lowest mortality rate) of 16.5 degrees C for total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory mortality, and mortality among those [Greater and equal to] 65 year of age. For mortality due to malignant neoplasms and mortality in the youngest age group, the optimum temperatures were 15.5 degrees C and 14.5 degrees C, respectively. For temperatures above the optimum, mortality increased by 0.47, 1.86, 12.82, and 2.72% for malignant neoplasms, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, and total mortality, respectively, for each degree Celsius increase above the optimum in the preceding month. For temperatures below the optimum, mortality increased 0.22, 1.69, 5.15, and 1.37%, respectively, for each degree Celsius decrease below the optimum in the preceding month. Mortality increased significantly during all of the heat waves studied, and the elderly were most effected by extreme heat. The heat waves led to increases in mortality due to all of the selected causes, especially respiratory mortality. Average total excess mortality during the heat waves studied was 12.1%, or 39.8 deaths/day. The average excess mortality during the cold spells was 12.8% or 46.6 deaths/day, which was mostly attributable to the increase in cardiovascular mortality and mortality among the elderly. The results concerning the forward displacement of deaths due to heat waves were not conclusive. We found no cold-induced forward displacement of deaths

Evaluation of Hand-Dug Wells in Rural Haiti

Water resources, especially safe, potable water, are limited for many Haitians. In areas where shallow groundwater is available, many household water needs such as laundry, bathing, and cooking are supplied by hand–dug wells. In order to better understand the water quality and prevalence of these household wells, 35 hand–dug wells were surveyed and sampled near the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, Haiti. Water samples were collected and tested for fecal coliform and Escherichia coli using the IDEXX Colilert–18 method. Of the samples collected, 89 percent were determined unsafe to use as a drinking water source based on the World Health Organization standard of 1.0 colony–forming unit (cfu) E. coli per 100 mL. Sixty–six percent of the wells exceeded recreational/body contact standards for the state of Michigan (130 cfu/100 mL). Some of these wells were deemed suitable for conversion to a new well type called in situ filtration (ISF) wells. In situ filtration wells are installed with an internal sand filter pack, PVC casing, pump, and cap which seals the well from surface contamination and provides additional water treatment as water is pumped. Previous ISF installations have reduced E. coli to safe drinking water levels within 90 day

The influence of an electrostatic field on cyclotron resonance behaviour of a plasma

The theoretically predicted influence of an electrostatic field on the energy gain of electrons at e.c.r. is confirmed experimentally by measuring the loss tangent of the plasma as a function of an applied D.C. voltage. The applicability of this effect as a heating scheme is discussed in general term

Deliverable 2: Report on the production of GIF by turbot, the effects on growth performance of turbot of local GIF production within RAS and the presence of GIF at commercial farm level

One of the working hypotheses of this project is that growth retardation of turbot cultured in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is caused by the accumulation of growth inhibiting factors (GIF) produced by the turbot themselves in the culture water. Our first goal was to demonstrate the production of growth inhibiting factors by turbot following the methodology of Yurl and Perlmutter. A series of successive experiments was performed. Extracts from turbot culture water were tested for GIF presence in early life stage tests using eggs and larvae and small scale growth trials with juveniles. Our second goal was to demonstrate the transfer of GIF between tanks. Four experiments involving the integration of experimental tanks in a farm scale setting were performed. Our third goal was to demonstrate the presence of GIF at commercial farms. Two juvenile growth trials were performed

Technische en economische haalbaarheid van een forellenkwekerij te Sterksel

Rapport over de technische en economische haalbaarheid van een forellenkwekerij in Sterksel

Onderzoeksfaciliteiten voor aquacultuuronderzoek in Europa: een concurrentieanalyse

Dit rapport biedt een overzicht van instellingen in Europa welke beschikken over faciliteiten voor het uitvoeren van experimenteel onderzoek met vissen. Deze instellingen zijn in potentie concurrenten voor nieuw te realiseren onderzoeksfaciliteiten voor contract research aan vissen in Nederland

Device for producing and enclosing a hot plasma

1391103 High-frequency discharge tubes EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY COM- MUNITY 24 July 1972 [23 July 1971] 34566/72 Heading H1D A device for producing and enclosing a hot plasma comprises a toroidal vessel 1 having means 2 for generating a magnetic field along the azimuthal axis 3 of the torus to induce annular electric currents along said axis, and means 6, 7 for generating an oscillating electric field in the vessel having a component parallel to the magnetic field and a frequency at or near the bounce frequency (i.e. about ten times the collison frequency of ions.) A second toroidal vessel or liner 4 is disposed in the first vessel 1, and the diameter of the plasma is limited by annular discs 5. The electric field is generated by annular electrodes 6 and 7 disposed above and below the axis 3 and connected through insulated ducts 8 to a generator producing oscillations having a fre- quency between 10 and 100 KHz. The electric field may alternatively be produced by an aerial disposed in an aperture in the vessel wall and fed with a signal having a fundamental frequency corresponding to the plasma frequency which is amplitude modulated at the bounce frequency

A REVIEW OF THE ROLE OF CLEANERS IN ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN MALAWI

Healthcare facility (HCF) cleaners, including ward attendants and grounds laborers, play an important role in preventing healthcare-acquired infections and promoting a safe healthcare environment. There is little evidence describing cleaner roles in HCFs in low- and middle-income countries and the factors that facilitate and constrain their roles and responsibilities. In response, we analyzed data from 57 interviews with cleaners in 45 rural HCFs in Malawi. Cleaner constraints included: inadequate training on infection prevention and control and waste management; insufficient work-related resources; performing tasks unrelated to core responsibilities; risk of work-related injuries; and occasional disrespect from medical staff and patients. Job facilitators included: positive collaboration with medical staff and highly expressed job satisfaction. Male ward attendants attained higher education than females and reported excess physical tasks, such as stocking supplies; females reported performing more administrative duties. Descriptions of cleaner roles did not differ by region, HCF type, cleaner type, or gender.Master of Scienc