Benchmarking the GHG emissions intensities of crop and livestock–derived agricultural commodities produced in Latvia

ArticleWith the production of grain and livestock–derived agricultural commodities increasing, the agricultural sector has become one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Latvia. In 2016, the agricultural sector contributed to 23.6% of the total GHG emissions originated in Latvia (266.4 kt CO2eq), and therefore the mitigation of the emissions is important. Considering the new indicative target, Latvia must reduce its GHG emissions in the non-ETS sectors by 2030 (Regulation 2018/842) so that the emissions do not exceed the 2005 level. The research aims to estimate the emissions intensities (EI) of grain and livestock-derived commodities produced in Latvia and benchmark the EI against those for other countries. The GHG EI were analysed per kilogram of product (kg CO2eq kg-1 ) and per hectare currently in use agricultural land (kg CO2eq ha-1 ). The main part of the GHG emissions of crop production originated from fertilizer application (direct N2O emissions) and soil liming (direct CO2 emissions). The main part of the GHG emissions of livestock–derived production originated from livestock enteric fermentation (direct CH4 emissions) and from manure management systems (direct CH4 and N2O emissions). The EI per hectare of industrial crops and grain were 550.5 and 438.4 kg CO2eq ha-1 , respectively. The yield and fertilizer application had a strong impact on the EI per kilogram of product. Pulses had a lower EI (0.003 kg CO2eq kg-1 ), while industrial crops (0.17 kg CO2eq kg-1 ) and grain (0.09 kg CO2eq kg-1 ) had the highest EI. A comparison of the GHG EI of crop and livestock–derived agricultural commodities per kilogram of product between Latvia and other EU Member States showed: Latvia had the lowest grain EI (0.09 kg CO2eq kg-1 ), but one of the highest cattle meat EI (25.18 kg CO2eq kg-1 ) and milk EI (0.64 kg CO2eq kg-1 )

The reliability of 31P-MRS and NIRS measurements of spinal muscle function

This is the accepted, peer reviewed version of the article, which has been published in final form at doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1372639Phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) and near-infra red spectroscopy (NIRS) provide methods for measuring spinal muscle function non-invasively but their reliability is not established. The aim of this study was assess the reliability (ICC) and error magnitude (CV%) of measurements of muscle phosphocreatine (PCr), tissue oxygenation index (TOI), and muscle deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb) acquired during fatigue and in recovery after 24 s exercise in the lumbar muscles. Ten healthy participants (19-25 years, 5 male, 5 female) performed exercise that involved holding the upper body unsupported in slight extension until fatigue and then, after 30 minutes of rest, for repeated bursts of 24 seconds. ICCs indicated good to excellent reliability of baseline measures (TOI:0.75) and of amplitude changes during fatigue (PCr:0.73, TOI:0.69, HHb:0.80), and recovery (HHb:0.96) and poor to fair reliability for time constants describing rates of change during fatigue (PCr:0.11) and recovery (PCr:0.31, HHb:0.47). CV% indicated varying relative measurement error across baseline measures (TOI:5%), amplitude changes during fatigue (PCr:7%, TOI:38%, HHb:31%) and recovery (HHb:31%), and in time constants for fatigue (PCr:39%) and recovery (PCr:20%, HHb:37%). The results suggested that reliability would be sufficient for future studies on spinal muscle function but that measurement error may be too large to evaluate individuals.NIHREPSR

Whey permeate-derived milk acidifier for dairy calves

Received: April 15th, 2022 ; Accepted: May 12th, 2022 ; Published: May 27th, 2022 ; Correspondence: [email protected] milk acidifier obtained from whey permeate fermenting it with dairy propionic acid bacteria was tested in this study to evaluate the effects of milk acidification on the health and growth performance of pre-weaned dairy calves. The study consisted of 30 neonatal Holstein female calves, allocated to three treatments fed unacidified (Control group) or acidified (EG-1 and EG-2 groups) pasteurised milk during the 7–75 day age. Control and EG-1 were fed milk by divided method three times daily till one month of age, then twice daily until weaning; EG-2 was basically fed by the undivided method - one week three times daily (7–14 day age), then once daily. Results demonstrate that animal general health status and faecal scores (FS) were good and the tested acidifier can be used for pre-weaned calf milk acidification. Biochemical and haematological indices of blood at the 30 and 60 day age were within normal reference values with both - divided and undivided - milk feeding methods. Mean live weight (LW; 106.6 ± 9.40 kg on average) and live weight gain (LWG; 911.33 ± 109.04 g day-1 on average) at weaning did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Lower intake of starter feed associated with a larger amount of milk consumed was observed in EG-2 animals (P < 0.05). As the results observed regarding growth performance and health indices of all dietary treatment groups of calves were similar, we could anticipate that the acidification benefits would be greater when providing unpasteurised milk, or during the hottest weather when the risks of milk spoilage are greater

Marginal abatement cost curve for an ammonia reduction measure in agriculture: the case of Latvia

Received: January 28th, 2021 ; Accepted: May 26th, 2021 ; Published: August 24th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] the production of grain and livestock–derived agricultural commodities increasing, the agricultural sector has become one of the main sources of ammonia (NH3) emissions in Latvia. In 2018, the agricultural sector contributed to 83% of the total NH3 emissions originated in Latvia (15.46 kt) (LIIR 2020). The EU has already put in place measures to control NH3 emissions. This includes the EU target of reducing ammonia emissions by 21% by 2030 and sets out emission reduction commitments for Latvia. Considering Latvia’s indicative reduction target, the NH3 emission reductions need to be achieved by 2030 (Directive 2016/2284) so that the emissions do not exceed the 2005 level (11.33 kt). Implementing no mitigation measures, Latvia has projected agricultural sector NH3 emissions to be 32.4% higher than those in 2005, and therefore the mitigation of the NH3 emissions from agriculture is important. The research aims to estimate cost-effective NH3 emission reduction measures in agriculture in Latvia. The results of the research represent a marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) analysis, in which we have quantified the potential for reduction for selected NH3 emission mitigation measures in Latvia. A list of the measures has been established taking into account the experience of good agricultural practices in the reduction of NH3 emissions (UN, 2014) and of other European countries as well. The calculations carried out allowed us to group the measures according to their priorities: measures that are cost-effective and with high potential for reduction of NH3; measures that are cost-effective but with low NH3 emission reduction potential; measures that are not cost-effective but with high potential for reduction of NH3; measures that are not cost-effective and with low potential for reduction of NH3. The estimated cumulative (total) reduction of NH3 emissions in Latvian agriculture by 2030, with the implementation of the measures analysed, is equal to 20.08 kt

Hera: evidence for multiple mineralization events and remobilization in a sediment-hosted Au-Pb-Zn-Ag deposit, Central New South Wales, Australia

The Hera Au-Ag-Pb-Zn deposit of central New South Wales, Australia with a total undepleted resource of 3.6 Mt @ 3.3 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag, 2.6% Pb and 3.8% Zn occurs on the SE margin of the Cobar Basin. It is hosted by the shallow marine Mouramba Group and overlying turbiditic Amphitheatre Group. The siltstones comprise various mixtures of quartz, plagioclase, muscovite-phengite, biotite and clinochlore, along with accessory titanite and ilmenite. The deposit comprises a number of discrete lodes which are steeply west-dipping and strike NNW. Each lode has different abundances of the main ore minerals sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and electrum-gold. The North Pod and Far West lenses have the most diverse mineralogy in additionally containing arsenopyrite, native silver, gudmundite, Ag-tetrahedrite, acanthite, dyscrasite, native antimony, nisbite and breithauptite. Electrum (continuous spectrum from Ag-rich to Au-rich) is associated with sulfides in the main ore lenses while native gold occurs in the host rocks along cleavages/lineations and away from the main ore. The sulfur isotope data from across the deposit indicates a magmatic source. Most of the deposit has experienced greenschist facies metamorphism with pervasive green chlorite alteration, though the North Pod differs in being distinctly Ag- and Sb-rich and has reached at least amphibolite facies metamorphism with a garnet-wollastonite-vesuvianite-tremolite assemblage. Tremolite is relatively abundant throughout most of the deposit suggesting widespread low-T skarn alteration. Cross-cutting pegmatites comprise quartz, plagioclase (labradorite-andesine) and microcline. Hydrothermal remobilization is relatively extensive and best explains the unusual Ag-Sb-As assemblages of the North Pod and Far West lodes

Crack determination from boundary measurements—Reconstruction using experimental data

In this work we assess the effectiveness of Electrical Impedance Tomography for determining the presence and the location of an interior crack from boundary measurements. Electrical Impedance Tomography uses boundary voltages and currents to image the interior of a region. We collect the data needed for this nondestructive evaluation technique by laboratory experiments and apply two numerical inversion algorithms to the data. Our experiments show that the data collected are sufficient to give good estimates of crack locations and crack sizes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45002/1/10921_2004_Article_BF00567084.pd

Ramucirumab plus docetaxel versus placebo plus docetaxel in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma after platinum-based therapy (RANGE): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial

Few treatments with a distinct mechanism of action are available for patients with platinum-refractory advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. We assessed the efficacy and safety of treatment with docetaxel plus either ramucirumab-a human IgG1 VEGFR-2 antagonist-or placebo in this patient population