Energy Demand and Economy of Nutrient Supply through Distillers Grains with Solubles from Bioethanol Production

Two different distillers grains with solubles are analysed for its contents of nitrogen and phosphorus in untreated and processed fraction. Processing includes decanting, heating and anaerobic digestion. Untreated DGS contains approx. 3.3 to 8 g N·l-1 and 0.2 to 0.5 g P·l-1. These concentrations can be increased by one order of magnitude through processing. Anaerobic digestion shifts the availability of nutrients from organic fixed forms to inorganic one. Furthermore, anaerobic digestion delivers energy from methane formed rather than the consumption of energy immanent with the other ways of processing

Biogas Crops – Part II: Balance of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy from Using Field Crops for Anaerobic Digestion

Several field crops, cultivated under north-eastern German conditions, are analysed for their ecological benefit if used for anaerobic digestion. The analyses is based on the assessment of cumulated energy demand necessary for the cultivation at different fertilisation levels, transport and storage of these crops as well as on the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions deriving from these processes. Although the values obtained are quite similar to each other this picture completely changes if considering the methane formation potential and hence the electricity available from these renewable energy sources. Cereals like rye, triticale, barley and maize as well as alfalfa show relatively low values of GHG emissions, and cumulated energy demand whereas hemp and Jerusalem artichoke have a considerable worse balance. In the case of high fertiliser input during cultivation the value of GHG emissions for Jerusalem artichoke even approaches the value for electricity produced within the German power-mix. Open-top tanks for digested energy crops may be a serious source of additional methane emissions

Biogas Crops - Part I: Specifications and Suitability of Field Crops for Anaerobic Digestion

In Germany, the growing number of agricultural biogas plants causes an increasing demand for crops as a feedstock in both mono‑ and co‑digestion processes. Laboratory scale batch anaerobic digestion tests under mesophilic conditions according to the German Standard Procedure VDI 4630 were conducted to investigate the suitability of different plant species like barley (Hordeum vulgare), rye (Secale cereale), triticale (X Triticosecale), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), hemp (Cannabis sativa), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and maize (Zea mays) for biogas production. Emphasis was placed on growing stage and maturity, respectively as well as on whole crop silage preparation without additives as a preservation method for biogas crops. Results presented indicate that biogas yield is clearly influenced by plant species and harvest stage. Ensiled matter shows a positive effect on biomethanation with higher biogas yields and methane contents than fresh matter investigated. Hence, storage as silages can be considered as pre‑treatment which has also potential to improve methane production from plant matter. Analyses of digested materials reveal considerable reduction of organic matter of all crops investigated

Influence of silage additives on methane yield and economic performance of selected feedstock

Ensiling is an appropriate way of preserving feedstock for anaerobic digestion. Biological and chemical silage additives were used to improve silage quality and to prevent silage losses due to aerobic instability. Lab-scale experiments were conducted using alfalfa, grass and maize. Silages without additives and with chemical and biological additives were compared to the fresh material as well. The effect of silage additives was investigated using batch anaerobic digestion tests and comparing the results on an organic dry matter basis as well as on a hectare basis. In an economic assessment the costs of silage additives were compared to the additional proceeds which can be achieved from improving digestability and preventing silage losses. There seems to be some evidence that there is a correlation between organic acid content of silages and methane yield on organic dry matter basis. Considering aerobic instability of opened silos the additional income can over-compensate the costs of the application of chemical additives

Application of hydrolytic enzymes for improving biogas feedstock fluidity

The composition of feedstock for biogas plants has changed during recent years. There has been an increase in the share of energy crops and residue from agriculture. As a consequence the contents of digesters are less fluid and hence, the effort for mixing has increased. Applying enzymes seems to be a promising way of improving fluidity. In this study the effects of enzyme application were investigated for a set of materials – grass silage, feed residue, maize silage, and rough-ground rye as feedstock for anaerobic digestion. After enzyme application these materials were mixed with cattle slurry and the probable effect was assessed with three different apparatus – fluidmeter, rotation rheometer, and torquemeter. The instruments proved applicable, in general, whereas grass silage could only be measured with the torquemeter. Fluidity of untreated material increased in the following row: grass silag

Moving towards the greener side: environmental aspects guiding pastoral mobility and impacting vegetation in the Dzungarian Gobi, Mongolia

Livestock grazing often intensifies around herder camps, which can lead to degradation, particularly in arid areas, where vegetation is scarce. In Mongolia, nomadic herders have covered long distances between camps and changed camps regularly for centuries. However, changing socioeconomics, rising livestock numbers, and climatic change have led to growing concerns over rangeland health. To understand travel mobility and livestock grazing patterns, we combined Global Positioning System tracking data of goats, remotely sensing pasture productivity, and ground-based vegetation characteristics in the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area, Mongolia. We assessed herder preferences for camp selection, followed 19 livestock herds over 20 months, determined use and nutrient contents of the most dominant plant communities, and estimated plant species richness, vegetation cover, and biomass within different grazing radii around camps. Biomass availability was key for herder decisions to move camps, but in winter, other factors like shelter from wind were more important. Camps were mainly located in Stipa spp. communities, agreeing with herder preferences for this highly nutritious species, and its dominance around camps. Herders changed their camp locations on average 9 times yearly, with a maximum distance of 70–123 km between summer and winter camps, and an average visitation period of 25–49 d per camp, depending on season. Small livestock spent > 13−17 h daily within a radius of 100 m from camp, and livestock use intensity decreased steeply with distance from camp but was remarkably similar around spring, autumn, and winter camps on the Gobi plains. However, we found little evidence for a corresponding gradient in plant species richness, biomass, and cover on the Gobi plains. The high mobility of local herders and the overriding impact of precipitation on pasture dynamics contribute to a sustainable vegetation offtake by livestock in the nonequilibrium rangelands of the Dzungarian Gobi.publishedVersio

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Clinical Experience with Intravenous Augmentin in the Treatment of Paediatric Infections

The clinical efficacy of intravenous Augmentin (a formulation containing amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid) was investigated in an open study in fifty-eight children with a mean age of 6 years (range 1–15 years). The normal dosage was in the range 100–200 mg/kg/day Augmentin, administered parenterally by short i.v. infusion in 3 or 4 divided doses. Most patients were hospitalised for lower respiratory tract infections. Complete clinical cure or distinct clinical improvement was achieved in all assessable cases. Bacteriological success was obtained in 92% of the assessable cases. In two patients, mild, transient exanthema was noted after i.v. Augmentin was replaced by oral Augmentin. No additional therapeutic measures were required. </jats:p