Combination of the Swiss agrarian sector model SILAS-dyn with the life cycle assessment tool SALCA

The agricultural sector model SILAS-dyn has been used by Agroscope ART for 10 years for the political advisory of the Swiss agricultural administration. To evaluate the environmental effects of different policy scenarios, a LCA module has been developed, connecting a hierarchical linkage to an existing LCA calculating tool. This lowers the formulation input and simplifies the adaptation of updated environmental models. The results of four scenarios show, through the example of energy use as an environmental impact, that indirect effects, such as energy use in the context of imported concentrates, can influence conclusions significantly. The scenario suggesting an increase of fertiliser prices does not change the results significantly, whereas higher energy prices increase the pressure upon energy-intensive activities.Sector model, LP, Political advisory, LCA, Income, Agricultural and Food Policy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Construction and Application of an LP Farm Model with an Integrated Life Cycle Assessment for the Determination of Sustainable Milk Production Systems

The increasingly stringent conditions underlying Swiss dairy production demand sustainable milk production systems that are economically optimized but also meet the ecological requirements of society. To determine such systems, a comparative-static LP model was constructed at farm level. Realistic production systems are reproduced in the model by means of binary variables. An Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was integrated into the model to determine the environmental impacts of the farm. To this effect, the internal farm influences on production are illustrated in detail. An initial application of the model, in which a comparison of different income-optimized production systems was carried out, revealed some goal conflicts between economics and ecology. Systems involving full-time grazing achieved the best results in both aspects.Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), LP-model, dairy production, production system, Livestock Production/Industries, C61, Q12, Q51,

Welche Faktoren hemmen die Umstellung von Ackerbaubetrieben auf ökologischen Landbau?

Der biologische Landbau in der Schweiz verzeichnete vor allem im Zeitraum zwischen 1990 und 2005 ein grosses Wachstum und hat sich in der Landwirtschaft und bei den Konsumenten etabliert. Deutlich untervertreten sind die Biobetriebe jedoch in den Ackerbauregionen, was sicherlich auf die im Vergleich zum Grünland meist höheren Anforderungenrungen an die Betriebsumstellung zurückzuführen ist. Mit einer Umfrage unter rund 300 Bio- und ÖLN-Ackerbaubetrieben wurde untersucht, welche Gründe Landwirtinnen und Landwirte von einer Umstellung abhalten. Die grössten Befürchtungen sind der Unkrautdruck und der damit zusammenhängende höhere Arbeitsaufwand, die ungenügende Wirtschaftlichkeit durch zu geringe Zuschläge auf die Produktpreise, Probleme bei der Nährstoffversorgung und zu strenge oder häufig ändernde Richtlinien. Die Umfrageergebnisse der Bio-Ackerbaubetriebe zeigen, dass diese Befürchtungen nur teilweise berechtigt sind. Die Wirkungsweisen nachbarschaftlichen Austauschs bei der Ausdehnung des Biolandbaus sollten daher verstärkt gefördert werden

Local accuracy of actual intraoral scanning systems for single-tooth preparations in vitro

BACKGROUND The authors evaluated the local accuracy of intraoral scanning (IOS) systems for single-tooth preparation impressions with an in vitro setup. METHODS The authors digitized a mandibular complete-arch model with 2 full-contour crowns and 2 multisurface inlay preparations with a highly accurate reference scanner. Teeth were made from zirconia-reinforced glass ceramic material to simulate toothlike optical behavior. Impressions were obtained either conventionally (PRESIDENT, Coltène) or digitally using the IOS systems TRIOS 3 and TRIOS 3 using insane scan speed mode (3Shape), Medit i500, Version 1.2.1 (Medit), iTero Element 2, Version 1.7 (Align Technology), CS 3600, Version 3.1.0 (Carestream Dental), CEREC Omnicam, Version 4.6.1, CEREC Omnicam, Version 5.0.0, and Primescan (Dentsply Sirona). Impressions were repeated 10 times per test group. Conventional (CO) impressions were poured with type IV gypsum and digitized with a laboratory scanner. The authors evaluated trueness and precision for preparation margin (MA) and preparation surface (SU) using 3-dimensional superimposition and 3-dimensional difference analysis method using (95% - 5%) / 2 percentile values. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results were presented as median (interquartile range) values in micrometers. RESULTS The authors found statistically significant differences for MA and SU among different test groups for both trueness and precision (P < .05). Median (interquartile range) trueness values ranged from 11.8 (2.0) μm (CO) up to 40.5 (10.9) μm (CEREC Omnicam, Version 5.0.0) for SU parameter and from 17.7 (2.6) μm (CO) up to 55.9 (15.5) μm (CEREC Omnicam, Version 5.0.0) for MA parameter. CONCLUSIONS IOS systems differ in terms of local accuracy. Preparation MA had higher deviations compared with preparation SU for all test groups. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Trueness and precision values for both MA and SU of single-unit preparations are equal or close to CO impression for several IOS systems

Means and methods for modulating lipid metabolism

The invention relates to means and methods for the modulation of lipid metabolism in an individual. Among others, it relates to a novel regulator of levels of plasma lipids and hepatic lipids and the use thereof for therapeutic intervention. Provided is a modulator of the Small leucine-rich protein 1 (human) (SMLR1) gene, a SMLR1 gene product, and/or a transcriptional regulator of SMLR1. Also provided is the use of the SMLR1 gene, a SMLR1 gene product, and/or a transcriptional regulator of SMLR1, as target in a method of modulating lipid metabolism in a subject

Untersuchungen zur Amyloidose und akute Phase Proteinen bei Schwarzfußkatzen (Felis nigripes) in Menschenobhut und in der Wildbahn

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Three-Dimensional Digital Evaluation of the Fit of Endocrowns Fabricated from Different CAD/CAM Materials

Purpose A wide variety of CAD/CAM materials are available for single‐tooth restorations. CAD/CAM material characteristics are different and may influence CAM fabrication accuracy. There is no study investigating the influence of different CAD/CAM materials on the final fit of the restoration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fit of endocrowns fabricated from different CAD/CAM materials using a new 3D evaluation method with an intraoral scanning system. The null hypothesis was that there are no significant differences for the fitting accuracy of different CAD/CAM materials. Materials and Methods Preparation for an endocrown was performed on a maxillary right first molar on a typodont, and restorations were fabricated with a chairside CAD/CAM system (CEREC Omnicam, MCXL). Three groups using three different CAD/CAM materials were established (each n = 10): zirconia‐reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (Celtra Duo; CD), leucite‐reinforced silicate ceramic (Empress CAD; EM), resin nanoceramic (Lava Ultimate; LU). A 3D digital measurement technique (OraCheck, Cyfex AG) using an intraoral scanner (CEREC Omnicam) was used to measure the difference in fit between the three materials for a master endocrown preparation. The preparation scan and the endocrown fit scan were matched with special difference analysis software OraCheck. Three areas were selected for fitting accuracy measurements: margin (MA), axial (AX), occlusal (OC). Statistical analysis was performed using 80% percentile, one‐way ANOVA, and post‐hoc Scheffé test. Significance level was set to p = 0.05. Results Results varied from best 88.9 ± 7.7 μm for marginal fit of resin nanoceramic restorations (LU_MA) to worst 182.3 ± 24.0 μm for occlusal fit of zirconia‐reinforced lithium silicate restorations (CD_OC). Statistically significant differences were found both within and among the test groups. Group CD performed statistically significantly different from group LU for marginal fit (MA) and axial fit (AX) (p 0.05). Deviation pattern for differences was visually analyzed with a color‐coded scheme for each restoration. Conclusions Statistically significant differences were found for different CAD/CAM materials if the CAM procedure was identical. Within the limitations of this study, the choice of CAD/CAM material may influence the fitting accuracy of CAD/CAM‐fabricated restorations

Neural crest requires Impdh 2 for development of the enteric nervous system, great vessels, and craniofacial skeleton

Mutations that impair the proliferation of enteric neural crest-derived cells (ENCDC) cause Hirschsprung disease, a potentially lethal birth defect where the enteric nervous system (ENS) is absent from distal bowel. Inosine 5′ monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) activity is essential for de novo GMP synthesis, and chemical inhibition of IMPDH induces Hirschsprung disease-like pathology in mouse models by reducing ENCDC proliferation. Two IMPDH isoforms are ubiquitously expressed in the embryo, but only IMPDH2 is required for life. To further understand the role of IMPDH2 in ENS and neural crest development, we characterized a conditional Impdh2 mutant mouse. Deletion of Impdh2 in the early neural crest using the Wnt1-Cre transgene produced defects in multiple neural crest derivatives including highly penetrant intestinal aganglionosis, agenesis of the craniofacial skeleton, and cardiac outflow tract and great vessel malformations. Analysis using a Rosa26 reporter mouse suggested that some or all of the remaining ENS in Impdh2 conditional-knockout animals was derived from cells that escaped Wnt1-Cre mediated DNA recombination. These data suggest that IMPDH2 mediated guanine nucleotide synthesis is essential for normal development of the ENS and other neural crest derivatives