Source energy spectra from demodulation of solar particle data by interplanetary and coronal transport

The data on source energy spectra of solar cosmic rays (SCR), i.e. the data on the spectrum form and on the absolute SCR are of interest for three reasons: (1) the SCR contain the energy comparable to the total energy of electromagnetic flare radiation (less than or equal to 10 to the 32nd power ergs); (2) the source spectrum form indicates a possible acceleration mechanism (or mechanism); and (3) the accelerated particles are efficiently involved in nuclear electromagnetic and plasma processes in the solar atmosphere. Therefore, the data on SCR source spectra are necessary for a theoretical description of the processes mentioned and for the formulation of the consistent flare model. Below it is attempted to sound solar particle sources by means of SCR energy spectrum obtained near the Sun, at the level of the roots of the interplanetary field lines in the upper solar corona. Data from approx. 60 solar proton events (SPE) between 1956-1981. These data were obtained mainly by the interplanetary demodulation of observed fluxes near the Earth. Further, a model of coronal azimuthal transport is used to demodulate those spectra, and to obtain the source energy spectra

Valuation and modeling of EQ-5D-5L health states using a hybrid approach

Background: The EQ-5D instrument is the most widely used preference-based health-related quality of life questionnaire in cost-effectiveness analysis of health care technologies. Recently, a version called EQ-5D-5L with 5 levels on each dimension was developed. This manuscript explores the performance of a hybrid approach for the modeling of EQ-5D-5L valuation data. Methods: Two elicitation techniques, the composite time trade-off, and discrete choice experiments, were applied to a sample of the Spanish population (n=1000) using a computer-based questionnaire. The sampling process consisted of 2 stages: stratified sampling of geographic area, followed by systematic sampling in each area. A hybrid regression model combining composite time trade-off and discrete choice data was used to estimate the potential value sets using main effects as starting point. The comparison between the models was performed using the criteria of logical consistency, goodness of fit, and parsimony. Results: Twenty-seven participants from the 1000 were removed following the exclusion criteria. The best-fitted model included 2 significant interaction terms but resulted in marginal improvements in model fit compared to the main effects model. We therefore selected the model results with main effects as a potential value set for this methodological study, based on the parsimony criteria. The results showed that the main effects hybrid model was consistent, with a range of utility values between 1 and -0.224. Conclusion: This paper shows the feasibility of using a hybrid approach to estimate a value set for EQ-5D-5L valuation data.</p

Effect of Different Urine Cow Nitrogen Rates and Different Moisture Conditions on Nitrogen Mineralization in an Andisol from Southern Chile

Urea present in cattle urine contributes large amounts of nitrogen (N) to grazed pastures, which can be an equivalent to approximately 1000 kg N ha−1. However, there are no studies in volcanic soils of southern Chile on the effect of different concentrations of urinary N deposited in the soil, nor of different wetting and drying conditions mimicking the variation of weather conditions on the nitrification process, from urea to NH4+ and total oxidized nitrogen (TON), throughout time. In addition, the inhibition on nitrification driven by the accumulation of NH3 at high rates of N applied to an Andisol have not been evaluated. Fresh cattle urine was applied at three different rates of N equivalent to 247 kg N ha−1 (Low N), 461 kg N ha−1 (Medium N), 921 kg N ha−1 (High N), and de-ionized water as Control. Further, three moisture conditions were imposed: constant moisture (CM), drying-rewetting (DRW) cycles at 7 days interval, and soil drying (SD). Destructive soil cores samples were evaluated for top and bottom halves individually every 7 days over a 36-d period to measure changes on inorganic N and pH. There were no interaction effects for N rates and soil moisture. The main effect of the different rates of N on mineralization was significant throughout the incubation period, while the effect of the different moisture conditions was var-iable over time. The High N was associated with elevated NH3 concentrations and could explain that total N mineralization was partially inhibited. These results suggest that the presence of different nitrifying microorganisms in the soil under different chemical and physical conditions determines nitrification, thus, the oxidation of ammonia should be studied in more detail as the first step of nitrification, specifically in volcanic soils

Does cattle and sheep grazing under best management significantly elevate sediment losses? Evidence from the North Wyke Farm Platform, UK

Purpose: Intensive livestock grazing has been associated with an increased risk of soil erosion and concomitant negative impacts on the ecological status of watercourses. Whilst various mitigation options are promoted for reducing livestock impacts, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between stocking rates and quantified sediment losses. This evidence gap means there is uncertainty regarding the cost–benefit of policy preferred best management. Methods: Sediment yields from 15 hydrologically-isolated field scale catchments on a heavily instrumented ruminant livestock farm in the south west UK were investigated over ~26 months spread across six years. Sediment yields were compared to cattle and sheep stocking rates on long-term, winter (November–April) and monthly time scales. The impacts of livestock on soil vegetation cover and bulk density were also examined. Cattle were tracked using GPS collars to determine how grazing related to soil damage. Results: No observable impact of livestock stocking rates of 0.15 – 1.00 UK livestock units (LU) ha-1 for sheep and 0 - 0.77 LU ha-1 for cattle on sediment yields was observed at any of the three timescales. Cattle preferentially spent time close to specific fences where soils were visually damaged. However, there was no indication that livestock have a significant effect on soil bulk density on a field-scale. Livestock were housed indoors during winters when most rainfall occurs and best management practices were used which when combined with low erodibility clayey soils likely limited sediment losses. Conclusion: A combination of clayey soils and soil trampling in only a small proportion of the field areas lead to little impact from grazing livestock. Within similar landscapes with best practice livestock grazing management, additional targeted measures to reduce erosion are unlikely to yield a significant cost-benefit

Difusão de fosfina no interior de cupinzeiros de Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar) (Isoptera: Termitidae).

Aspectos relacionados à difusão da fosfina dentro de cupinzeiros de C. cumulans foram estudados, em condições naturais, em Piracicaba-SP. Concluiu-se que as paredes externas dos montículos, construídas com partículas de latossol e cimentadas com saliva dos insetos, não eram totalmente impermeáveis à fumaça da queima da celulose existente em seu interior que fluía, com relativa facilidade, para o ambiente externo, sem o auxílio de qualquer pressão artificial interna. Medições periódicas das concentrações de fosfina em diferentes localizações internas nos montículos, através de "Multi Gás Detector DRAGER", indicaram uma perda total do gás, num intervalo de seis a trinta horas desde a introdução de quantidades variáveis de comprimidos de fosfina nos termiteiros. A mortalidade dos insetos nunca foi total, mesmo quando se aplicaram oito drágeas por montículo, encontrando-se sempre nas regiões mais baixas da câmara de celulose, pelo menos cerca de 20% de insetos vivos e em condições de reconstruírem o ninho. Mortalidade de 100% foram obtidas acima da linha do solo e para dosagens maiores que quatro comprimidos por ninho, independentemente do local de sua deposição no interior dos montículos

Feasibility of mitigation measures for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. A systematic review

The UK Government has set an ambitious target of achieving a national “net-zero” greenhouse gas economy by 2050. Agriculture is arguably placed at the heart of achieving net zero, as it plays a unique role as both a producer of GHG emissions and a sector that has the capacity via land use to capture carbon (C) when managed appropriately, thus reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Agriculture’s importance, particularly in a UK-specific perspective, which is also applicable to many other temperate climate nations globally, is that the majority of land use nationwide is allocated to farming. Here, we present a systematic review based on peer-reviewed literature and relevant “grey” reports to address the question “how can the agricultural sector in the UK reduce, or offset, its direct agricultural emissions at the farm level?” We considered the implications of mitigation measures in terms of food security and import reliance, energy, environmental degradation, and value for money. We identified 52 relevant studies covering major foods produced and consumed in the UK. Our findings indicate that many mitigation measures can indeed contribute to net zero through GHG emissions reduction, offsetting, and bioenergy production, pending their uptake by farmers. While the environmental impacts of mitigation measures were covered well within the reviewed literature, corresponding implications regarding energy, food security, and farmer attitudes towards adoption received scant attention. We also provide an open-access, informative, and comprehensive dataset for agri-environment stakeholders and policymakers to identify the most promising mitigation measures. This research is of critical value to researchers, land managers, and policymakers as an interim guideline resource while more quantitative evidence becomes available through the ongoing lab-, field-, and farm-scale trials which will improve the reliability of agricultural sustainability modelling in the future

Serum levels of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 and mortality are associated in severe septic patients: Pilot study

Objective: Apoptosis is increased in sepsis. Cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), a protein of the intermediate filament group present in most epithelial and parenchymal cells, is cleaved by the action of caspases and released into the blood as caspase-cleaved CK (CCCK)-18 during apoptosis. Circulating levels of CCCK-18 have scarcely been explored in septic patients. In one study with 101 severe septic patients, the authors reported higher serum CCCK-18 levels in non-survivors than in survivors; however, the sample size was too small to demonstrate an association between serum CCCK-18 levels and early mortality and whether they could be used as a biomarker to predict outcomes in septic patients. Thus, these were the objectives of this study with a large series of patients. Methods: We performed a prospective, multicenter, observational study in six Spanish Intensive Care Units with 224 severe septic patients. Blood samples were collected at the time that severe sepsis was diagnosed to determine serum levels of CCCK-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. The end point was 30-day mortality. Results: Non-surviving patients (n = 80) showed higher serum CCCK-18 levels (P391 u/L were associated with 30-day survival (Odds ratio = 2.687; 95% confidence interval = 1.449-4.983; P = 0.002), controlling for SOFA score, serum lactic acid levels and age. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the risk of death in septic patients with serum CCCK-18 levels >391 u/L was higher than in patients with lower values (Hazard Ratio = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.96-4.84; P<0.001). Serum CCCK-18 levels were positively associated with serum levels of IL-6 and lactic acid, and with SOFA and APACHE scores. Conclusions: The major novel finding of our study, the largest cohort of septic patients providing data on circulating CCCK-18 levels, was that serum CCCK-18 levels are associated with mortality in severe septic patients

Produção de fitomassa leguminosas isoladas e consorciadas com milheto e teor relativo de clorofila em feijoeiro orgânico em plantio direto.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi de avaliar a produção de fitomassa de leguminosas isoladas e consorciadas com milheto e seu efeito no teor de clorofila do feijoeiro comum orgânico em sistemas de plantio convencional e direto.CONAFE

Postoperative streptococcus constellatus bacteremia in a 75-year-old patient with pyometra: A case report

Background: Pyometra is an accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity. It is rare in the general population but more common in elderly women. If diagnosed in the early stage, life-threating conditions may be avoided. The most common etiological microorganisms of pyometra are Escherichia coli, Bacteroides species, Staphylococci (eg, epidermid-is) and Streptococci. Occasionally, atypical bacteria may be the cause. Case Report: We present the case of a 75-year-old woman, with multiple risk factors, admitted to the Gynecology Department with a 15-day history of yellowish-brown vaginal discharge. Because of rapid enlargement of the uterine cavi-ty, the patient underwent to endometrial curettage. Three hours after surgery, she developed a high-grade fe-ver, and Streptococcus constellatus was isolated in her blood cultures. A specific antibiotic therapy was admin-istered for a total of 14 days, resulting in complete resolution of the infection. Conclusions: This case report describes a rare case of bacteremia caused by Streptococcus constellatus, that resulted from a pyometra. The classic triad of symptoms (postmenopausal bleeding, vaginal discharge, and lower abdominal pain) may be helpful for diagnosis; however, 50% of patients are asymptomatic. An early recognition of the con-dition is important to avoid rare but risky consequences, such as perforation of the uterus itself. Nevertheless, surgery can cause dangerous complications such as bacteremia. A different spectrum of bacteria may be in-volved in the development of pyometra, even in atypical cases, mostly when multiple comorbidities are pres-ent. A correct evaluation and management of the patient is essential to guarantee a good prognosis in this rare infection