Transnational trafficking networks of end-of-life vehicles and e-waste

Based on case studies and interviews, it appears that the transnational trafficking of various waste types follows distinct paths. However, this information only provides a partial view of the global waste trafficking network, as it has never been studied by combining all the known illegal flows of different waste types. To address this gap, we analysed data from the Basel Convention National Reports to reconstruct networks of countries that engaged in illegal exchanges of end-of-life vehicles, e-waste, or both between 2016 and 2019. Our findings suggest that the structure of these networks and the countries involved in the trafficking vary depending on the waste type, with some similarities. While there are a few reciprocal ties, illegal end-of-life vehicles and e-waste typically move in one direction between countries. Most illegal flows occur from the Global North to the Global South, but trafficking also takes place within each of these regions

Biotechnological production and application of fructooligosaccharides

Currently, prebiotics are all carbohydrates of relatively short chain length. An important group is the fructooligosaccharides, which are a special kind of prebiotics associated to their selective stimulation of the activity of certain groups of colonic bacteria that have a positive and beneficial effect on intestinal microbiota, reducing incidence of gastrointestinal infections, respiratory and also possessing a recognized bifidogenic effect. Traditionally, these prebiotic compounds have been obtained through extraction processes from some plants, as well as through enzymatic hydrolysis of sucrose. However, different fermentative methods have also been proposed for the production of fructooligosaccharides, such as solid-state fermentation utilizing various agroindustrial by-products. By optimizing the culture parameters, fructooligosaccharides yields and productivity can be improved. The use of immobilized enzymes and cells has also been proposed as being an effective and economic method for large-scale production of fructooligosaccharides. This paper is an overview on the results of recent studies on fructooligosacharides biosynthesis, physicochemical properties, sources, biotechnological production and applications.The authors thank the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT) for funding this study. D. A. Flores-Maltos thank the CONACYT for the financial support provided for her postgraduate studies in the Food Science and Technology Program, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Mexico

Different suckling regimens and return to postpartum cyclic ovarian activity in Santa Inês ewes.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different suckling regimens on body condition and interval from lambing to onset of the cyclic ovarian activity in Santa Inês ewes. Thirty-two ewes were allocated to blocks according to parity, number of lambs, and body weight and submitted to 3 treatments: continuous suckling (n = 11 ewes, 13 lambs), controlled suckling (n = 10 ewes, 14 lambs) with 2 suckling periods per day for 1 h from Day 10 postpartum (pp), or early weaning (n = 11 ewes, 14 lambs) with total separation of the lambs from Day 10 pp. The animals were evaluated in the interval from Day 12 pp to first estrus or to Day 60 pp. Dry matter intake was evaluated daily. The body weight of ewes and lambs and body condition score (scale 1 = thin and 5 = fat) of ewes were evaluated at lambing and at every 6 days after. Lambs were weighed at weaning. Estrus was monitored twice daily with a teaser ram. Blood samples for progesterone measurement were collected and ovarian ultrasonography was done at intervals of 3 days from Day 12 pp to first estrus or to Day 60 pp. Dry matter intake was analyzed over time, considering 9 periods, with PROC MIXED of SAS (2008; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Body weight, body condition score, interval from lambing to first ovulation, and weaning weight were analyzed using the GLM procedure, ANOVA, and an F-test. The intervals from lambing to first estrus and to follicles with a diameter &#8805;5 mm were analyzed considering a Poisson distribution and the percentage of estrus manifestation was analyzed considering a Bernoulli distribution, by generalized linear models, using PROC GENMOD. The dry matter intake did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments (2.3 ± 0.1, 2.2 ± 0.0, and 1.6 ± 0.0 kg day?1), but it differed over time (P 0.05). The dry matter intake was correlated with body weight in ewes that were submitted to continuous suckling (r = 0.7; P 0.05). The body condition score was correlated with body weight in ewes submitted to continuous suckling (r = 0.8; P < 0.01), controlled suckling (r = 0.4; P < 0.01), and early weaning (r = 0.5; P < 0.01), and with dry matter intake in those submitted to continuous suckling (r = 0.4; P < 0.01). Weaning weight was lower (P < 0.05) in lambs subjected to early weaning (19.0 ± 1.0, 18.3 ± 1.0, and 15.2 ± 0.6 kg), but their health was not compromised. Continuous suckling did not delay the return to postpartum cyclic ovarian activity and did not influence the postpartum body condition of Santa Inês ewes and should be used by producers.Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the International Embryo Transfer Society, Hannover, Germany, 19-22 January, 2013. Papers and Abstracts for Poster Presentation

Exploring the Immediate Effects of COVID-19 Containment Policies on Crime: an Empirical Analysis of the Short-Term Aftermath in Los Angeles

This work investigates whether and how COVID-19 containment policies had an immediate impact on crime trends in Los Angeles. The analysis is conducted using Bayesian structural time-series and focuses on nine crime categories and on the overall crime count, daily monitored from January 1st 2017 to March 28th 2020. We concentrate on two post-intervention time windows—from March 4th to March 16th and from March 4th to March 28th 2020—to dynamically assess the short-term effects of mild and strict policies. In Los Angeles, overall crime has significantly decreased, as well as robbery, shoplifting, theft, and battery. No significant effect has been detected for vehicle theft, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, intimate partner assault, and homicide. Results suggest that, in the first weeks after the interventions are put in place, social distancing impacts more directly on instrumental and less serious crimes. Policy implications are also discussed

Nursing regimens: Effects on body condition, return to postpartum ovarian cyclicity in Santa Ines ewes, and performance of lambs

The effects of nursing regimens on the body condition, onset of ovarian cyclicity postpartum and weaning weight of lambs were assessed in Santa Ines ewes. Thirty-two ewes were blocked according to parity, number of lambs, and body weight at lambing and within each block randomly allocated to treatments: continuous nursing (CN), controlled nursing (CN2) with two daily feedings for an hour after the 10th day postpartum, or early weaning (EW) with total separation from the lambs after the 10th day. The animals were evaluated from the 12th day postpartum until the first estrus or until 60th day. The dry matter and nutrients intake did not differ among treatments ( P>. 0.05) but did differ over time ( P. 0.05) among the treatments. The percentage of ovulation until 30th day was greater ( P<. 0.05) in the EW group. The percentage of short luteal phases was higher in the CN2 and EW groups ( P=0.07) and normal luteal phases were higher in the CN group ( P=0.01). Lamb weight weaning was lower in the EW group ( P<. 0.05). It is possible to use CN to obtain lambing periods less than eight months in Santa Ines ewes, with the advantages of simpler management and higher lamb weaning weights. © 2013 Elsevier B.V