The Effects of Crop Type and Production Systems on the Activity of Beneficial Invertebrates

Beneficial invertebrate activity (13 groups) was assessed in five crop types on a split-plot experimental system in northern England using pitfall trapping and suction sampling in May-October 2005. Very significant differences were detected in activity between crop type, and in the preference of groups for individual crops. Within crop types, differences in fertiliser and crop protection approaches appeared to significantly affect activity, with preferences for either organic or conventional management differing between groups. In general, inorganic fertiliser application had more effect on activity than pesticide, herbicide and fungicide use

Forty Years of Military Activity in the Canadian North, 1947-87

Military and strategic perceptions of the North have changed several times during the 20th century. Initially, the North was simply ignored: later - by the mid-1939s - it was perceived as a strategic barrier more formidable than either the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. During the Second World War and the Cold War, with the views of the United States in the dominance, the area was seen as an approach, initially to Europe and Asia, and later to the heartland of North America. In contemporary Canada, the North is seen as having intrinsic value and as such is deserving to be watched over, protected and, if necessary, defended. Military forces have been involved periodically in the North since the days of the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. The intensity and degree of this involvement has reflected the changing perceptions of the North. Military presence can be analyzed as relating to defence, protection of sovereignty and national development, although naturally many specific programs have overlapped. American involvement, starting with the United States entry into World War II and continuing into the present, has been extensive but primarily concerned with defence. Military activity has been a significant factor in the development of northern infrastructure both as deliberate national development programs and as the by-product of defence-related construction activities. While the military has had a considerable impact on the North, the northern fact has had surprisingly little impact upon the Canadian military. The Canadian Forces are just beginning to comprehend the unique aspects of the North and to develop policies and programs appropriate to contemporary northern realities and the assigned military responsibility to be Custos Borealis - Keeper of the North.Key words: Arctic, Canada, defence, development, North, strategy, sovereignty Notre conception du Nord du point de vue militaire et stratégique a souvent changée au cours du vingtième siècle. Au début du siècle, le Nord n'avait guère d'importance sur le plan militaire; plus tard – vers le milieu des années trente – on y voyait une barrière stratégique plus difficile à franchir que les deux océans. A l'époque de la Deuxième Guerre Mondiale, les Américains voyaient le Nord comme un pont à travers lequel on pourrait atteindre l'Europe et l'Asie. Mais plus tard, lors de la guerre froide, on craignait que les Russes n'attinssent par ce même chemin le cœur de l'Amérique. Actuellement, au Canada, nous affirmons que le Nord a sa valeur intrinsèque, et qu'il doit être surveillé, protégé si nécessaire.Les forces militaires s'engagent de temps en temps au Nord depuis l'époque de la ruée vers l'or du Klondike en 1898. L'évolution qu'a subi notre conception du Nord trouve son reflet dans l'intensité et le degré de cet engagement. La présence militaire peut s'analyser en raison de la défense, de la protection de notre souveraineté et du développement national, bien que, naturellement, beaucoup de programmes individuels se chevauchent. Le rôle des États-Unis au Nord, débutant lors de la Deuxième Guerre Mondiale pour continuer jusqu'au présent, fut important surtout en ce qui concerne la défense.L'engagement militaire dans le Nord canadien a beaucoup contribué au développement de cette région, par des programmes de développement national, ainsi que par ses activités de construction ne visant pas nécessairement le développement régional. Tandis que le militaire a beaucoup apporté au développement du Nord, le Nord n'a eu que très peu d'effet sur les activités du militaire. Les Forces canadiennes ne font que commencer à comprendre que le Nord présente des aspects uniques qui méritent le développement de politiques et programmes appropriés, et que le militaire doit se charger des responsabilités du Custos Borealis – le Gardien du Nord. Mots clés : L'Arctique, Canada, défense, développement, le Nord, stratégie, souverainet&eacute

Effect of production system and geographic location on milk quality parameters

A main reason for the rapid increase in organic food consumption is the perception that organic foods have a superior nutritional composition and/or convey health benefits. However, there is currently limited scientific knowledge about the effect of production systems on food composition. The study reported here compared fatty acid profiles and levels of fat soluble antioxidants in milk from organic and conventional production systems in 5 geographic regions in Europe (Wales, England, Denmark, Sweden and Italy). Levels of nutritionally desirable mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (vaccenic acid, CLA, α-linolenic acid) and/or a range of fat soluble antioxidants were found to be significantly higher in organic milk

The Use of Remote Sensing Techniques for Monitoring and Characterization of Slope Instability

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record.Understanding changes in slope geometry and knowledge of underlying engineering properties of the rock mass are essential for the safe design of man-made slopes and to reduce the significant risks associated with slope failure. Recent advances in the geomatics industry have provided the capability to obtain accurate, fully geo-referenced three-dimensional datasets that can be subsequently interrogated to provide engineering-based solutions for monitoring of deformation processes, rock mass characterization and additional insight into any underlying failure mechanisms. Importantly, data can also be used to spatially locate and map geological features and provide displacement or deformation rate information relating to movement of critical sections or regions of a slope. This paper explores the benefits that can be obtained by incorporating different remote sensing techniques and conventional measurement devices to provide a comprehensive database required for development of an effective slope monitoring and risk management program. The integration of different techniques, such as high accuracy discrete point measurement at critical locations, which can be used to complement larger scale less dense three-dimensional survey will be explored. Case studies using a combination of aerial and terrestrial laser scanning, unmanned aerial vehicle and hand-held scanning devices will demonstrate their ability to provide spatial data for informing decision making processes and ensuring compliance with Regulations

Investigation and modeling of direct toppling using a three-dimensional distinct element approach with incorporation of point cloud geometry

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordBlock toppling instability can be a common problem in natural rock masses, especially in mining environments where excavation activity may trigger discontinuity-controlled instability by modifying the natural slope geometry. Traditional investigations of block toppling failure consider classic kinematic analyses and simplified two-dimensional limit equilibrium methods. This approach is still the most commonly adopted, but the simple two-dimensional conceptual model may often oversimplify the instability mechanisms, ignoring potential critical factors specifically related to the three-dimensional geometry. This paper uses a three-dimensional distinct element method approach applied to an example case study, identifying the critical parameters that influence direct toppling instability in an open pit environment. Terrestrial laser scanning was used to obtain detailed three-dimensional geometrical information of the slope face geometry for subsequent stability analyses. A series of sensitivity analyses on critical parameters such as friction angle, discontinuity shear and normal stiffness, discontinuity spacing, and orientation was performed, using simple conceptual three-dimensional numerical modeling. Results of the analyses revealed the importance of undertaking three-dimensional analyses for direct toppling investigations that allow identification of critical parameters. A three-dimensional distinct element analysis was then performed using a more realistic complex volumetric mesh model of the case study slope which confirmed the previous modeling results but also identified unstable blocks in high slope angle areas, providing useful information for life of mine design. The paper highlights the importance of slope geometry and fracture network orientation on potential slope instability mechanisms.European CommissionEuropean Commissio

Case Report: Successful Staged Ureteroscopic Treatment of a 5 cm Staghorn Renal Calculus

It is widely accepted that percutaneous nephrostolithotorny (PCNL) is the standard of choice for the removal of large staghorn renal calculi. Although data exists supporting a stagad ureteroscopic as an alternate treatment for stones up to 3 cm in select patients, little data exists to support a ureteroscopic approach for stones as large as 5 cm. We present a case of a 68 year old female with a 5 cm staghorn renal calculus managed successfully with a staged ureteroscopic approach. A staged ureteroscopic approach can be effective in treating stones as large as 5 cm

Sustainable intensification? Increased production diminishes omega-3 content of sheep milk

Intensifying agricultural production alters food composition, but this is often ignored when assessing system sustainability, yet it could compromise consumers’ health and the concept of ‘sustainable diets’. Here we consider milk composition from Mediterranean dairy sheep, finding inferior fatty acid (FA) profiles with respect to consumer health as a result of a more intensive system of production. Semi-intensive management did produce 57% more milk per ewe with 20% lower fat content, but inferior fat composition. Milk had a nutritionally poorer fatty acid (FA) profile, with 18% less omega-3 FA (n-3) (19% less long-chain n-3) and 7% less monounsaturated FA but 3% more saturated FA (9% higher in C14:0) concentrations compared with ewes under traditional, extensive management. Redundancy analysis identified close associations between fat composition and animal diets, particularly concentrate supplementation and grazing cultivated pasture - n-3 was associated with grazing diverse, native mountain pastures. The paper questions if identifying such key elements in traditional systems could be deployed for ‘sustainable intensification’ to maintain food quality whilst increasing output

Opioid Litigation Panel

On February 17, 2023, the University of Richmond Law Review hosted a symposium entitled Overlooked America: Addressing Legal Issues in Rural America. A portion of the event focused on the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States, including the causes and effects of certain actions taken by players in the pharmaceutical industry. The Opioid Litigation Panel, transcribed below, brought together four of the most prominent leaders in the fight for justice in the opioid epidemic: Mr. Rick Mountcastle, Mr. Paul Farrell, Mr. Eric Eyre, and Professor Patrick McGinley. The University of Richmond Law Review was so honored to have these individuals speak at the symposium and is thrilled to publish their powerful discussion below