Modelling the multiplier effect of a local food system

Received: February 1st, 2021 ; Accepted: May 10th, 2021 ; Published: May 13th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] of rural communities, benefits for local farmers and environment are expected outcomes of local food initiatives which are emerging as an opposition to the adverse social and economic effects of globalization. Local food networks diversify the rural economy, promote greater economic independence and local potential, improve the area’s image and reduce GHG emissions. The purchase of local food increases incomes of both the community and local producers, as well as increases employment and related multiplier effects at the local level, for example, increased value of new production, import substitution, increased incomes, and created additional jobs. Revitalisation of rural communities, benefits for local farmers and environment are expected outcomes of local food initiatives which are emerging as an opposition to the adverse social and economic effects of globalization It has been revealed that much of current research on local and regional food networks lacks a strong theoretical grounding and quantitative rigor; however, community development practitioners and planners need objective and research-based information for food system design and implementation in order to produce community or regional wellbeing. The aim of the paper is to develop the concept of an integrated assessment model of local food systems based on the analysis of the literature, which would provide a basis for empirical analysis. The analysis model contains dimensions of sustainable development, allowing us to assess not only direct effects (income, reduced greenhouse gas emissions etc.) but also indirect ones (economic, social and environmental resilience of local communities)

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

Electromagnetic Analysis of Plane Wave Illumination Effects Onto Passive and Active Circuit Topologies

Abstract-In this letter, the finite element-boundary integral method, incorporating the multilevel fast multipole method to reduce the storage cost of the boundary integral matrix, is applied to the analysis of two microstrip filter circuits illuminated via a plane wave. Simulated results indicate that significant voltages are induced across the output ports close to filters&apos; resonances. This study is further extended to a microstrip low-noise amplifier circuit. It will be shown that at certain field strengths, the plane wave illuminating the microstrip amplifier circuit can introduce considerable gain deviation and nonlinearity to its operation. Index Terms-Boundary integral, electromagnetic compatibility/interference (EMC/EMI), finite element, harmonic balance method, method of moments (MoM)

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

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

Active Seismic Experiment accuracy of velocity measurement

The following is an analysis of the accuracy of redundant (Photographic) means of measuring grenade velocity as planned during ASE grenade firings at WSMR.prepared by L. V. Liepa