Renewable Energy Development and Implications to Agricultural Viability

Food and energy security have increasingly acquired key natural resource policy focus. As alternative energy solutions become more land intensive, the potential implication to the agricultural sector becomes of policy interest. This study investigated the impact of projected wind energy development in Michigan on the agricultural sector. Results indicate that land lease payments overtime for wind turbine siting are expected to generate $50 million per year, impacting agricultural viability. Spatial distribution analysis suggests that most of the projected lease payments to farmers are concentrated in low value agricultural land, low value agricultural production, urban influenced, and low net farm income locations. We found that the spatial distribution of wind energy impact on agricultural viability is wide, but significant in some counties, by a margin of more than 50% net farm income gain. As renewable energy development becomes more land intensive, the potential cross-sectoral impacts need to be carefully considered.agricultural viability, renewable energy, land use, spatial analysis, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Strategic Acquisition of Agricultural Lands in Sub-Saharan Africa: Determinants of Country Targeting Behavior

Land Economics/Use,

Pengaruh Konsentrasi Iba (Indole Butyric Acid) Dan Jenis Media Tanam Terhadap Pertumbuhan Bibit Nanas (Ananas Comosus [L.] Merr) Asal Tunas Mahkota

The research was conducted to determine the effects of IBA concentration on the growth of pineapple seedlings sprout from crown cutting on each type of growing media. The treatment was arranged in factorial (5x2) in randomized block design with three replications. The first factor is the concentration of IBA (A), which consists of: without IBA (A0), IBA 100 ppm (A1), IBA 200 ppm (A2), IBA 400 ppm (A3), and IBA 600 ppm (A4). The second factor is the type of planting medium (B), which consists of river sand (B1) and volcanic sand (B2). The results showed that the concentration of IBA 600 ppm treatment effect on seedling growth shown by the increasing number of roots produced. Treatment planting medium used had no effect on all observed variables. IBA concentration on root wet weight depending on the type of planting medium used

Analisis dan Pengembangan Sistem Manajemen Pengetahuan Berbasis Perangkat Lunak Open Source (Studi Kasus)

Penelitian ini akan memaparkan proses identifikasi dan kategorisasi pengetahuan yang di miliki oleh PT XYZ sebagai objek penelitian, dimana Perusahaan ini membutuhkan wadah yang mendukung sharing knowledge untuk pendokumentasian dan pendistribusian pengetahuan yang ada pada Perusahaan tersebut, serta menerapkan sistem open source untuk mengelola pengetahuan secara mandiri dan terpusat. Metode penelitian yang dilakukan adalah dengan Inukshuk KM Model. Metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah wawancara dan observasi. Hasil yang dicapai dari penelitian ini adalah tersedianya wadah untuk menyimpan dan mengelola pengetahuan yang mudah diakses oleh pengguna. Dengan pengimplementasian sistem manajemen pengetahuan ini diharapkan dapat meningkatan kualitas sharing knowledge antar karyawan, serta meningkatan kualitas knowledge content yang terdapat didalam Perusahaan

Combine selection for earliness and yield in pedigree developed sorghum (sorghum bicolor l. Moench) progenies in eritrea

Thirteen progenies of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) crosses (Amal and ICSV 91078) that selected using pedigree breeding method, were evaluated along with their parental checks to obtain information on yield potential, earliness, genetic and morphological diversity. The genotypes were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications for three years (2007-2009) at Halhale research center. Significant mean squares were obtained for almost all characters in the individual analysis of variance as well as the combined analysis across seasons, suggesting that, these sorghum genotypes were highly variable for almost all the characters studied, therefore, would respond to selection. Mean values for the combined analysis of the progenies showed that Hal-1-1, Hal-4-9, Hal-13-33, Hal-11-30 and Hal-9-24 were promising cultivars in terms of grain yield and earliness. Combined analyses also showed most characters had relatively higher genotypic and phenotypic variance components and little difference between phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) indicating their variation has a genetic origin that can be exploited for further breeding programs. The genotypes also exhibited varying degrees of heritability estimates. Characters such as plant height, days to 50 % flowering and grain yield responded positively to selection because of high broad sense heritability estimates. High heritability and genetic advance was noted for plant height and days to 50% flowering indicating that these parameters were under additive gene effect and responded well for genetic improvement. However, grain weight showed high heritability with low genetic advance indicating that the trait has non additive gene action and might respond well due to its heterosis

High Density Fabrication Process for Single Flux Quantum Circuits

We implemented, optimized and fully tested over multiple runs a superconducting Josephson junction fabrication process tailored for the integrated digital circuits that are used for control and readout of superconducting qubits operating at millikelvin temperatures. This process was optimized for highly energy efficient single flux quantum (ERSFQ) circuits with the critical currents reduced by factor of ~10 as compared to those operated at 4.2 K. Specifically, it implemented Josephson junctions with 10 uA unit critical current fabricated with a 10 uA/um2 critical current density. In order to circumvent the substantial size increase of the SFQ circuit inductors, we employed a NbN high kinetic inductance layer (HKIL) with a 8.5 pH/sq sheet inductance. Similarly, to maintain the small size of junction resistive shunts, we used a non-superconducting PdAu alloy with a 4.0 ohm/sq sheet resistance. For integration with quantum circuits in a multi-chip module, 5 and 10 um height bump processes were also optimized. To keep the fabrication process in check, we developed and thoroughly tested a comprehensive Process Control Monitor chip set.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

Differences in Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Structure Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Smokers: A Comparative Study

Background: Prior studies have demonstrated that U.S. Hispanic smokers have a lower risk of decline in lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with non-Hispanic whites (NHW). This suggests there might be racial-ethnic differences in susceptibility in cigarette smoke-induced respiratory symptoms, lung parenchymal destruction, and airway and vascular disease, as well as in extra-pulmonary manifestations of COPD. Therefore, we aimed to explore respiratory symptoms, lung function, and pulmonary and extra-pulmonary structural changes in Hispanic and NHW smokers. Methods: We compared respiratory symptoms, lung function, and computed tomography (CT) measures of emphysema-like tissue, airway disease, the branching generation number (BGN) to reach a 2-mm-lumen-diameter airway, and vascular pruning as well as muscle and fat mass between 39 Hispanic and 39 sex-, age- and smoking exposure-matched NHW smokers. Results: Hispanic smokers had higher odds of dyspnea than NHW after adjustment for COPD and asthma statuses (odds ratio[OR] = 2.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-8.04), but no significant differences were found in lung function and CT measurements. Conclusions: While lung function and CT measures of the lung structure were similar, dyspnea is reported more frequently by Hispanic than matched-NHW smokers. It seems to be an impossible puzzle but it's easy to solve a Rubik' Cube using a few algorithms

Trends and causes of maternal mortality in Ethiopia during 1990-2013:Findings from the Global Burden of Diseases study 2013

Background: Maternal mortality is noticeably high in sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia. Continuous nationwide systematic evaluation and assessment of the problem helps to design appropriate policy and strategy in Ethiopia. This study aimed to investigate the trends and causes of maternal mortality in Ethiopia between 1990 and 2013. Methods: We used the Global Burden of Diseases and Risk factors (GBD) Study 2013 data that was collected from multiple sources at national and subnational levels. Spatio-temporal Gaussian Process Regression (ST-GPR) was applied to generate best estimates of maternal mortality with 95% Uncertainty Intervals (UI). Causes of death were measured using Cause of Death Ensemble modelling (CODEm). The modified UNAIDS EPP/SPECTRUM suite model was used to estimate HIV related maternal deaths. Results: In Ethiopia, a total of 16,740 (95% UI: 14,197, 19,271) maternal deaths occurred in 1990 whereas there were 15,234 (95% UI: 11,378, 19,871) maternal deaths occurred in 2013. This finding shows that Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in Ethiopia was still high in the study period. There was a minimal but insignificant change of MMR over the last 23 years. The results revealed Ethiopia is below the target of Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) related to MMR. The top five causes of maternal mortality in 2013 were other direct maternal causes such as complications of anaesthesia, embolism (air, amniotic fluid, and blood clot), and the condition of peripartum cardiomyopathy (25.7%), complications of abortions (19.6%), maternal haemorrhage (12.2%), hypertensive disorders (10.3%), and maternal sepsis and other maternal infections such as influenza, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis (9.6%). Most of the maternal mortality happened during the postpartum period and majority of the deaths occurred at the age group of 20-29 years. Overall trend showed that there was a decline from 708 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 497 per 100,000 in 2013. The annual rate of change over these years was-1.6 (95% UI:-2.8 to-0.3). Conclusion: The findings of the study highlight the need for comprehensive efforts using multisectoral collaborations from stakeholders for reducing maternal mortality in Ethiopia. It is worthwhile for policies to focus on postpartum period

Mononuclear Phagocytes and Airway Epithelial Cells: Novel Sources of Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Objectives: Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) promotes lung fibrotic responses to bleomycin in mice. Although prior studies reported that MMP-8 levels are increased in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from IPF patients, neither the bioactive forms nor the cellular sources of MMP-8 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients have been identified. It is not known whether MMP-8 expression is dys-regulated in IPF leukocytes or whether MMP-8 plasma levels correlate with IPF outcomes. Our goal was to address these knowledge gaps. Methods: We measured MMP-8 levels and forms in blood and lung samples from IPF patients versus controls using ELISAs, western blotting, and qPCR, and assessed whether MMP-8 plasma levels in 73 IPF patients correlate with rate of lung function decline and mortality. We used immunostaining to localize MMP-8 expression in IPF lungs. We quantified MMP-8 levels and forms in blood leukocytes from IPF patients versus controls. Results: IPF patients have increased BALF, whole lung, and plasma levels of soluble MMP-8 protein. Active MMP-8 is the main form elevated in IPF lungs. MMP-8 mRNA levels are increased in monocytes from IPF patients, but IPF patients and controls have similar levels of MMP-8 in PMNs. Surprisingly, macrophages and airway epithelial cells are the main cells expressing MMP-8 in IPF lungs. Plasma and BALF MMP-8 levels do not correlate with decline in lung function and/or mortality in IPF patients. Conclusion: Blood and lung MMP-8 levels are increased in IPF patients. Active MMP-8 is the main form elevated in IPF lungs. Surprisingly, blood monocytes, lung macrophages, and airway epithelial cells are the main cells in which MMP-8 is upregulated in IPF patients. Plasma and BALF MMP-8 levels are unlikely to serve as a prognostic biomarker for IPF patients. These results provide new information about the expression patterns of MMP-8 in IPF patients