Average Conditions Research Articles

Temporal and inter-farm variability of economic and environmental farm performance: A resilience perspective on potato producing regions in the Netherlands

In the context of resilience and sustainability of farming systems it is important to study the trade-offs and synergies between economic and environmental variables. In this study, we selected food production, economic and environmental performance indicators of farms in three potato producing regions in the Netherlands: Flevoland, Zeeland and Veenkoloniën. We studied the period 2006 to 2019 using farm accountancy data. We used threshold regressions to determine gradual development and year-to-year variation of those indicators. Subsequently we applied a sparse Partial Least Square (sPLS) regression to study the response of performance, gradual development and year-to-year variation under different conditions regarding weather, market and farm structure. sPLS-model performance was at best moderate. Best model performance was attained for Veenkoloniën, a region with relatively little inter-farm variability and relatively stable economic prices. Model results were very sensitive to the selection of response variables. We found that food production, economic and environmental performance levels and gradual developments were primarily determined by input intensity levels. How these performance levels were determined by input intensity, i.e. positively or negatively, differed per case study. Year-to-year variability was determined by average yearly weather conditions and weather extremes. Overall, we conclude that the method applied to the data we had available mostly provided insights that confirm existing knowledge at case study level. sPLS can be seen as a filter and projector of high-dimensional data that accentuates patterns in the data. In the context of resilience of farms, while using a relatively small dataset, the applicability of our methodology seems limited to a rather homogeneous farm population in a stable economic environment. Researchers intending to apply this method to (arable) farming systems should be well aware of the influence they can have on the results through their selection of response variables.

Length-weight Relationship and Condition Factors of Endemic Fish, <I>Lagusia micracanthus</I> Bleeker, 1860 (Pisces: Terapontidae) in Gilireng River, Wajo Regency, Indonesia

Highlight Research Research on pirik endemic fish (Lagusia micracanthus) was first conducted in the Gilireng River. Based on the length-weight relationship, the growth type of pirik fish in the Gilireng River is isometric. The average size distribution, total length, and body weight of female fish were greater than those of male fish though not statistically significant. The Gilireng River water conditions are sufficient to support the growth of endemic pirik fish. Abstract Lagusia micracanthus or locally known as pirik fish and is the only endemic freshwater fish from the family Terapontidae. To date, published information related to biological aspects of this species in the Gilireng River, Arajang Village, Wajo Regency, is unavailable. This study aims to determine the length−weight relationship and condition factors of L. micracanthus fish populations in the Gilireng River. Fish sampling was performed once a month January 2022 to June 2022.The fish collected from Gilireng River comprised 69 male and 66 females during the study period. Pirik (L. micracanthus) in the Gilireng River demonstrated nearly an isometric growth pattern. Condition factor values ranged from 0.6455 to 4.3239, and the average condition factor values for female fish were smaller than male fish. The result of this study has contributed to the knowledge of the endemic pirik fish population in the Gilireng River that could assist fishery management scientists in conducting studies on the management of these fish.

Climate Change Trends for the Urban Heat Island Intensities in Two Major Portuguese Cities

Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensities are analyzed for the metropolitan areas of the two major Portuguese cities, Lisbon and Porto, in the period 2008–2017. Projections for the UHI intensity averaged over 2008–2017 and a future period 2021–2050 are calculated under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5. The spatiotemporal characteristics of the UHI intensity are assessed for daytime, nighttime, and average daily conditions. This analysis is carried out for the winter (Dec-Jan-Feb, DJF) and summer (Jun-Jul-Aug, JJA) meteorological seasons. Maximum UHI intensities of about 3.5 °C were reached in 2008–2017 in both metropolitan areas, but over a wider region during winter nighttime than during summer nighttime. Contrariwise, the most intense urban cool island effect reached −1.5 °C/−1 °C in Lisbon/Porto. These UHI intensities were depicted during summer daytime and in less urbanized areas. Overall, the UHI intensities were stronger during the winter than in the summer for both cities. Results show that the UHI intensity is closely related to underlying surfaces, as the strongest intensities are confined around the most urbanized areas in both cities. Until 2050, under RCP8.5, the highest statistically significant trends are projected for summer daytime, of about 0.25 °C (per year) for Lisbon and 0.3 °C (per year) for the UHI 99th percentile intensities in both metropolitan areas. Conversely, the lowest positive statistically significant trends (0.03 °C/0.02 °C per year) are found for the winter daytime UHI intensities in Lisbon and the winter nighttime and average UHI intensities in Porto, respectively. These statistically significant patterns (at a 5% significance level) are in line with the also statistically significant trends of summer mean and maximum temperatures in Portugal, under RCP8.5 until 2050. Scientists, urban planners, and policymakers face a significant challenge, as the contribution of urbanization and the forcing promoted by global warming should be duly understood to project more sustainable, go-green, carbon-neutral, and heat-resilient cities.

Amphibian decline in a Central European forest and the importance of woody debris for population persistence

Achieving an understanding of species’ temporal and spatial abundance patterns is a prerequisite for proper conservation and management decisions. Little is known of the ecological indicators of census size or biomass of terrestrial amphibian communities and historical estimates of population size are rare. Here we took advantage of abundance and biomass data collected in 1967/1968 for a leaf-litter amphibian community in Niepołomice Forest (NF) in south-central Poland. Using the same technique (removal sampling), we censused the amphibian community of this forest 50 years later (2016/2017), spatially matching a subset of current plots with the historical sampling sites. Averaged over all plots, we revealed at least a fourfold decline in amphibian abundance from 2817 ± 776 individuals/ha in 1967 to 674 ± 508 individuals/ha currently, paralleled by a decline in biomass from roughly 15.5 ± 1.7 to 3.8 ± 3.1 kg/ha. The decline was more striking (over 15-fold) for current plots placed in the same forest division as the historical plots (mean counts of 157 ± 103 individuals/ha corresponding in biomass to 1.0 ± 0.5 kg/ha). We also recorded a change in species composition between surveys, and propose that conversion of aquatic habitat and forest succession have decreased amphibian diversity and abundance in NF. Further, we estimated densities of anuran amphibians in forest plots differing in management regime and local habitat characteristics for contemporary plots (all historical plots were placed in managed forest). We found that unmanaged, old growth forest plots with coarse woody debris on the forest floor held on average twice as many anurans compared to plots in managed stands. Average body condition of the most common species, Rana temporaria, measured as a scaled mass index, was enhanced in plots situated in old growth forest. Our findings suggest that the preservation of old growth forests containing coarse woody debris may boost anuran abundance, biomass and body condition, and has the potential to buffer against long-term demographic decline. Moreover, the retention of deadwood could be a means of increasing the conservation potential of managed forests for terrestrial amphibian communities.

Mewaspadai Generasi Lemah Menurut Al-Quran

The character building of this Islamic youth is an obligation that must be carried out. In the teachings of the noble Islamic religion, youth as part of the people of Muhammad SAW play a very important role. Tanjung Ibus is a village located in Langkat Regency, Secanggang District. It is a village with an overall population of Muslims. However, the average condition of the people with economic conditions is lower and poor. With the majority of occupational professions they are farmers and fishermen. So, to revive the economy and living conditions of the people in this village, there needs to be a real movement. Especially the movement of character building for the younger generation with the aim of forming a generation that can make changes to the standard of living in their respective families and even be able to build their villages into prosperous.

Validation of the Basic Supporting Role of Traffic Networks in Regional Factor Flow: A Case Study of Zhejiang Province

Castells proposed that “space of flow” has multiple layers, and considered that transportation infrastructure is the carrier of its formation. However, few studies have focused on whether the infrastructure behind factor flows can provide sufficient support. In this paper, the basic supporting role of traffic networks in regional factor flows is examined. Firstly, we use traffic-connection data, enterprise-investment data and human-flow data to build a traffic network, enterprise-association network and inter-city-trip network, respectively. Then, we construct fitting models of the traffic network and the other two networks from two aspects: centrality and connection degree. Finally, this paper analyzes the standard residuals of the fitting results and looks for outliers that are greater than 1.65 or less than −1.65. Through outliers, we can find out where the traffic network cannot support the inter-city factor flows, and where the traffic network is too developed. The conclusions are as follows: First, the immaterial capital flows are still affected by the connectivity of transport facilities. With an improvement in traffic conditions, the capital links between cities can be enhanced correspondingly. Therefore, cities can gather more capital. Second, the attraction and radiation power of high-grade cities in terms of both human and capital flows are far beyond the traffic condition. They also motivate the neighboring cities to form a scale of capital- and human-flow connection that exceeds the average traffic conditions of the whole province. By analyzing the relationship between factor flows and infrastructure, and identifying mismatched networks, this paper will be helpful in many regards. It can provide guidance for Zhejiang Province in formulating transportation strategies. In addition, the conclusions can also provide decision-making support for optimizing regional infrastructure construction.

Influence of Environmental Factors on the Intelligent Management of Photovoltaic and Wind Sections in a Hybrid Power Plant

The high-efficiency operation of photovoltaic and wind systems is affected by many factors and parameters that should be continuously monitored. Since most of the variable factors are related to weather conditions, they are difficult to predict. Therefore, in order to optimize the operating point of a photovoltaic or wind power plant, it is necessary to observe changes in the subject area. The operation of photovoltaic and wind power plants can complement each other. The results recorded at the hybrid power plant of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of Bialystok University of Technology are useful for a comprehensive analysis of the power plant operation and the ways to optimize it. This paper presents the influence of environmental factors on the operation of a hybrid photo-voltaic–wind power plant located in the city of Bialystok, Poland. The aim of the study was to present the variable factors on the optimal adjustment of the location of the power plant elements at the stage of its design and selection of the energy management system. The presented measurement data from 2015–2021 allow conclusions to be drawn on the significant impact on the power plant’s operation, taking into account both the average conditions corresponding to the analysed location and the full range of changes in the listed factors.

Size Structures, Length-Weight Relationships and Condition Factors of Synodontis obesus (Boulenger, 1898: Siluriformes, Mochokidae) in the Lower Cross River, Nigeria

Size Structures, Length-Weight Relationships and Condition Factors of Synodontis obesus ((Boulenger, 1898: Siluiformes, Mochokidae) were carried out with standard methods in the Lower Cross River, Nigeria to assess the population dynamics of the rarely studied but commercially important species. A total of 241 specimens (124: wet season and 117: dry season) were collected at Ayadehe Head Bridge fishing port in Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria from August 2020 to January 2021. The overall abundance showed high size variability within months and between seasons. The total biomass of the specimens collected was heavier in the wet season (12020.33g =12.02Kg) than in the dry season (10709.3g =10.7Kg) with an overall biomass of (22729.63g =22.7Kg). The overall size structures were: 15.0 – 28.30 cm, mean: 21.52.44 cm TL; 12.0 – 20.5 cm, mean: 15.881.6 cm SL and 13.20 – 21.50 cm, mean: 16.881.64 cm FL. The total weight of the species varied from 42.30 – 166.0g with overall mean value of 94.31603g. The length and body weight of fish samples caught for both wet and dry season were significantly different (p<0.05).The length composition of the species exhibits unimodal, bimodal and trimodal growth patterns. The species had heterogeneous groups or cohorts (1+, 2+ and 3+) with variation in body weight. The length-at-first maturity of S. obesus was 20.85 cm mid length. Growth coefficient (b) varied between (2.497) for the wet season and (2.617) for the dry season respectively with the mean growth coefficient (b=2.532) in the LWR (W= aLb). The species exhibited negative allometric growth pattern with an increase in length resulting to increase in weight of the fish. The condition factor (K) decreased with increased in the size of fish and ranged from 2.17-2.57 (Mean: 2.35) in both wet and dry seasons. The average condition factor (K) (2.35±0.15) was 1.0 for both seasons revealing that the species was in good physiological state of well-being. The condition factor (K) of S. obesus by size category showed K-values for recruitssexually mature fishaged fish. Thus fish size is an exponential index of condition factor. The results of this study constitute valuable fisheries data that would enhance the availability, conservation, valorization, exploitation and sustainability of S. obesus in the Lower Cross River, Nigeria.

Assessing changing flow regime of upper and middle reaches of Narmada river using the indicators of hydrological alterations (IHA) metrics

ABSTRACT Researchers have long been trying to identify and estimate the impacts on the hydrological regime of rivers caused due to anthropogenic activities. In the present study, IHA was used to analyse the effect of dams on the flow regime of the upper and middle Narmada River. A total of 33 indicators were analysed to calculate Hydrological alteration due to dams in Narmada River. Average HA Index values of all 33 parameters are relatively higher for middle Narmada at Mandleshwar (0.86) than that of upper Narmada at Burmanghat (0.57). The average extreme water conditions have decreased both in frequency and in duration. Specifically, fewer floods and less low flow events have occurred in the post-dam period. The main purpose of this article is to identify and quantify the variations in the hydrologic regime so that the cumulative impacts of anthropogenic activities on water resources and the aquatic ecosystems may be reduced using proper water resource management strategies.

Leader-Following Consensus Control for Uncertain Feedforward Stochastic Nonlinear Multiagent Systems.

This article addresses the leader-following consensus problem of feedforward stochastic nonlinear multiagent systems with switching topologies. Output information for all agents, except for state information, can be acquired based on sensor measurement. Moreover, the stochastic disturbances from external unpredictable environments are considered on all agent systems with a feedforward structure. In these conditions, we propose a novel consensus scheme with a simple design procedure. First, for each follower, we construct a dynamic gain-based switched compensator using its output and its neighbor agents' outputs to provide feedback control signals. Then, for each follower, we develop a compensator-based distributed controller that is not directly associated with the topology switching signal such that it has a first derivative and antishake. Thereafter, by means of the Lyapunov stability theory, we verify that the leader-following consensus can be acquired asymptotically in probability under the controllers' action if the topology switching signal fulfills an average dwell time condition. Finally, the feasibility of the control algorithm is checked via numerical simulation.

Effects of graded levels of dietary chromium-yeast on rumen and blood metabolites, feed digestibility, and performance of goats

The study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of Chromium-yeast minerals on consumption, feed digestibility, rumen and blood metabolites, Average Daily Gain (ADG) and body condition score (BCS). The research was conducted at Gunung Tugel Farm, Banyumas, Central Java, Indonesia. The material used was 24 male Jawarandu goats with an average initial weight of 25 ± 1.23 kg, individual cages, the feed given consisted of elephant grass silage and concentrate. The treatment feed contains chromium-yeast at levels of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/kg. The research method used was experimental using a completely randomized design. There were 4 treatments tested, namely T0 (70% concentrate + 30% elephant grass silage), T1 (70% concentrate + 30% elephant grass silage + 0.5 mg/kg chromium-yeast), T2 (70% concentrate + 30% elephant grass silage + 1 mg/kg chromium-yeast) and T3 (70% concentrate + 30% elephant grass silage + 1.5 mg/kg chromium-yeast). Each treatment was repeated 6 times so there were 24 trials. The further test used is polynomial orthogonal. The variables measured in this study were feed consumption, feed digestibility, rumen metabolite products, daily body weight gain and body condition score. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the treatment had a significant effect on dry matter and organic matter consumption, feed digestibility, rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and blood glucose 3 h post-feeding, chromium-yeast levels, and had a very significant effect on ADG and BCS. In conclusion, chromium-yeast supplementation was able to improve goat performance with optimal levels ranging from 1.04–1.36 mg/kg of feed.

Predictors of health in substance use disorder recovery: economic stability in residential aftercare environments

ABSTRACT The exit from active substance use presents barriers to achieving and maintaining health, especially as individuals lack the economic resources to afford healthcare access. Treatment settings that strengthen resources may support stability in recovery and influence health. Analyzing a sample of recovery home residents over two years (N = 494), the current study assessed individually held resources (e.g., wages, employment) and the average economic conditions of a resident’s house (e.g., house employment rate) to understand their association with self-reported health status. Employment status, but not wages or transportation access, was associated with reported health scores. The average employment rate of a recovery home was also positively correlated with the health of its residents. Results indicate the need to address employment and other economic issues which plague recovering individuals. Community aftercare settings may offer such a pathway through affordable housing, employment opportunities, and supportive relationships.

Bioclimatic atlas of the terrestrial Arctic

The Arctic is the region on Earth that is warming at the fastest rate. In addition to rising means of temperature-related variables, Arctic ecosystems are affected by increasingly frequent extreme weather events causing disturbance to Arctic ecosystems. Here, we introduce a new dataset of bioclimatic indices relevant for investigating the changes of Arctic terrestrial ecosystems. The dataset, called ARCLIM, consists of several climate and event-type indices for the northern high-latitude land areas > 45°N. The indices are calculated from the hourly ERA5-Land reanalysis data for 1950–2021 in a spatial grid of 0.1 degree (~9 km) resolution. The indices are provided in three subsets: (1) the annual values during 1950–2021; (2) the average conditions for the 1991–2020 climatology; and (3) temporal trends over 1951–2021. The 72-year time series of various climate and event-type indices draws a comprehensive picture of the occurrence and recurrence of extreme weather events and climate variability of the changing Arctic bioclimate.

ANEC on stress-tensor states in perturbative λ ϕ4 theory

We evaluate the Average Null Energy Condition (ANEC) on momentum eigenstates generated by the stress tensor in perturbative λ ϕ4 and general spacetime dimension. We first compute the norm of the stress-tensor state at second order in λ; as a by-product of the derivation we obtain the full expression for the stress tensor 2-point function at this order. We then compute the ANEC expectation value to first order in λ, which also depends on the coupling of the stress-tensor improvement term ξ. We study the bounds on these couplings that follow from the ANEC and unitarity at first order in perturbation theory. These bounds are stronger than unitarity in some regions of coupling space.

Circulation, stratification and salt dispersion in a former estuary after reintroducing seawater inflow

Around the world, estuaries have been partially or completely closed-off from the sea and their number may increase with rising sea levels. Concurrently, there is a trend to reintroduce seawater inflow into enclosed former estuaries for ecosystem improvement. This is also the case in the Haringvliet, a former estuary in the Rhine-Meuse Delta, closed-off in 1970 with floodgates blocking seawater inflow and regulating outflow. As the reintroduced salt water inflow can threaten fresh water intake, inflow, flushing and dispersion need to be well understood and carefully managed.Here we investigate stratification, flow circulation and salt transport in the Haringvliet by analyzing ADCP data collected in two former tidal channels, together with salinity time series and profiles. The profiles show that the incoming water reaches the deeper parts and that the system tends to be strongly stratified. Over time, the interface levels deepen in steps, mainly coinciding with floodgate discharge events, which are strongly correlated with the primary current velocities in the channels. However, even floodgate discharges for above average Rhine discharge conditions were insufficient to quickly flush or mix the salt out of the channels. This is consistent with calculated gradient Richardson numbers, which barely get in the range of critical values.For closed floodgates with no outward discharge, we found considerable depth-averaged upwind currents in the channels for axial winds. This reveals a dominant horizontal circulation, with downwind currents over the shallow parts and upwind currents over the deep parts of the system, explained by a local imbalance between the wind stress and pressure gradient force at both shoals and channels. This horizontal circulation is an important driver for inland salt transport, as increased salinity values were found at landward locations for seaward wind. This implies this is a condition with increased risks for fresh water availability. Analytical calculations confirmed the upwind currents in the channels can become sufficiently strong to transport salt mixed up at one side of the system to the other within the duration of a wind event. However, the current-related shear is likely not strong enough to induce interfacial mixing directly above the deep parts, and we hypothesize mixing mostly occurs when salt water reaches less deep areas after tilting of the pycnocline.The insights from this study are relevant for other formerly enclosed estuaries for which reintroduction of seawater inflow is considered, as well as presently open systems for which (partial) closure is discussed.

Influence of fine-scale habitat characteristics on sage-grouse nest site selection and nest survival varies by mesic and xeric site conditions

AbstractResource managers and scientists across western U.S. agencies seek methodologies for identifying environmental attributes important to both wildlife conservation and broad-scale land stewardship. The Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) exemplifies a species in need of this broad-scale approach given widespread population declines that have resulted from loss and degradation of habitat from natural and anthropogenic disturbances. These include agricultural land conversion, conifer expansion, energy development, and wildfire coupled with ecological conversion by invasive plants such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Development of habitat assessments and conservation actions for sage-grouse benefit from studies that link demographic responses to habitat selection patterns. To address this, we examined nest survival of sage-grouse in relation to fine-scale habitat patterns (i.e., field-based habitat measurements) that influenced nest site selection, using data from nests of telemetered females at 17 sites over 6 years in Nevada and northeastern California, USA. Importantly, sites spanned mesic and xeric average precipitation conditions that contributed substantially to vegetation community structure across cold desert ecosystems of the North American Great Basin. Vegetative cover immediately surrounding sage-grouse nests was important for both nest site selection and nest survival, but responses varied between mesic and xeric sites. For example, while taller perennial grasses were selected at xeric sites, we found no evidence of selection for perennial grass at mesic sites, indicating a functional response to availability of habitat features between hydrographic regions. Furthermore, perennial grass height and forb height both had positive effects on nest survival at xeric sites, but we found varying effects at mesic sites. We emphasize that precipitation conditions driving ecosystem productivity vary regionally among sagebrush communities, shaping vegetation structure and suitable habitat conditions for nesting sage-grouse.

The Combined Influence of the Madden–Julian Oscillation and El Niño–Southern Oscillation on Australian Rainfall

Abstract This study first re-examines the impact of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on weekly rainfall probabilities and wind anomalies across Australia, motivated by the need for a contemporary understanding of the MJO’s influence on Australian rainfall, whether this has changed from a previous assessment published in 2009. With an extra 15 years of observations, we show that the strong impact of MJO phases 5 and 6 on northern Australia’s austral summer rainfall has weakened by around 5% over Australia’s Top End. In addition, austral spring has seen a weakening of the suppressed rainfall teleconnection with MJO phases 2 and 3 over southeast Australia. The weakened relationships make it a little harder to use the MJO to explain rainfall variations over northern Australia in summer and southeast Australia in spring in the current climate. The study’s second motivation is to further document the combined influence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the MJO on rainfall. In summer during El Niño, as compared with La Niña or neutral ENSO conditions, there are stronger reductions in rainfall probabilities over northern Australia associated with the dry MJO phases 8, 1, and 2, but the significantly increased rainfall probabilities in MJO phases 5 and 6 remain much the same. Indeed, the MJO dominates over ENSO in its influence on weekly rainfall probabilities in the north in summer. In contrast, ENSO tends to dominate across subtropical and southern Australia in spring. The updated probability maps are an important resource for estimating the intraseasonal influence of the MJO and ENSO on Australian rainfall. Significance Statement Accompanying forecasts of multiweek rainfall, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology provide average condition maps showing the long-term relationship between the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and Australian weekly rainfall. Motivated by discussions with northern Australian beef producers, we updated the maps using high-resolution data and found that in the austral summer, the association between the MJO and northern rainfall has weakened in the past 15 years. Despite this, the MJO still dominates over El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) as a driver of changes in week-to-week rainfall over northern Australia in summer, although ENSO dominates farther south in spring. This study gives users an improved understanding of what to expect in terms of upcoming weekly weather when interpreting rainfall and MJO predictions.

Evaluation of Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation on rumen fermentation, production performance, carcass traits and health of ruminants: a meta-analysis.

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of Megasphaera elsdenii (M. elsdenii) as a probiotic on rumen fermentation, production performance, carcass traits and health of ruminants by integrating data from various related studies using meta-analysis. A total of 32 studies (consisted of 136 data points) were obtained and integrated into a database. The parameters integrated were fermentation products, rumen microbes, production performance, carcass quality, animal health, blood and urine metabolites. Statistical analysis of the compiled database used a mixed model methodology. Different studies were considered random effects, while M. elsdenii supplementation doses were considered fixed effects. p-values and the Akaike information criterion were employed as model statistics. The model was deemed significant at p<0.05 or had a tendency to be significant when p-value between 0.05〈p〈0.10. Supplementation with M. elsdenii increased (p<0.05) some proportion of fermented rumen products such as propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and valerate, and significantly reduced (p<0.05) lactic acid concentration, acetate proportion, total bacterial population and methane emission. Furthermore, the probiotic supplementation enhanced (p<0.05) livestock production performance, especially in the average daily gain and body condition score. Regarding the carcass quality, hot carcass weight and carcass gain were elevated (p<0.05) due to the M. elsdenii supplementation. Animal health also showed improvement as indicated by the lower (p<0.05) diarrhoea and bloat incidences as well as the liver abscess. However, M. elsdenii supplementation had negligible effects on blood and urine metabolites of ruminants. Supplementation of M. elsdenii is capable of decreasing ruminal lactic acid concentration, enhancing rumen health, elevating some favourable rumen fermentation products, and in turn, increasing production performance of ruminants.

Climate change impacts of e-fuels for aviation in Europe under present-day conditions and future policy scenarios

‘E-fuels’ or ‘synthetic fuels’ are hydrocarbon fuels synthesized from hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), where H2 can be produced via electrolysis of water or steam reforming of natural gas, and CO2 is captured from the combustion of a fossil or biogenic source or directly from the atmosphere. E-fuels are drop-in substitutes for fossil fuels, but their climate change mitigation benefits are largely unclear. This study evaluates the climate change impacts of e-fuels for aviation by combining different sources of CO2 and H2 up to 2050 under two contrasting policy scenarios. The analysis includes different climate metrics and the effects of near-term climate forcers, which are particularly relevant for the aviation sector. Results are produced for European average conditions and for Poland and Norway, two countries with high and low emission intensity from their electricity production mix. E-fuels can either have higher or lower climate change impacts than fossil fuels, depending on multiple factors such as, in order of importance, the electricity mix, the origin of CO2, the technology for H2 production, and the electrolyzer efficiency. The climate benefits are generally higher for e-fuels produced from CO2 of biogenic origin, while e-fuels produced from CO2 from direct air capture or fossil fuel combustion require countries with clean electricity to outperform fossil fuels. Synthetic fuels produced from H2 derived from natural gas have higher impacts than fossil fuels even when coupled with carbon capture and storage, if CO2 is sourced from fossil fuels or the atmosphere. Climate change impacts of e-fuels improve in the future, and they can all achieve considerable climate change mitigation in 2050relative to fossil jet fuel, provided that strict climate policy measures are implemented to decarbonize the electricity sector. Under reduced policy efforts, future climate impacts in 2050 of e-fuels from atmospheric or fossil CO2 are still higher than those of fossil jet fuels with an average European electricity mix. This study shows the conditions to maximize the climate change mitigation benefits of e-fuels, which essentially depend on progressive decarbonization of the electricity sector and on reduced use of CO2 sourced from fossil fuels.

Contrasting Annual and Summer Phosphorus Export Using a Hybrid Bayesian Watershed Model

AbstractNutrient pollution is a widespread environmental problem that degrades water quality worldwide. Addressing this issue calls for characterizing nutrient sources and retention rates, especially in seasons when water quality problems are most severe. Hybrid (statistical‐mechanistic) watershed models have been used to quantify nutrient loading from various source categories. However, these models are generally developed for long‐term average conditions, limiting their ability to assess temporal drivers of nutrient loading. They also have not been calibrated for season‐specific estimates of loading and retention rates. To address these issues, we developed a hybrid watershed model that incorporates interannual variability in land use and precipitation as temporal drivers of phosphorus loading and transport. We calibrate the hybrid watershed model within a Bayesian hierarchical framework on both an annual and summer basis over a multi‐decadal period (1982–2017). For our study area in the North Carolina Piedmont region (USA), we find that urban lands developed before 1980 are the largest contributor of phosphorus (per unit area), especially under dry conditions. Seasonally, summer phosphorus export rates are generally found to be lower than corresponding annual rates (kg/ha/mo), while in‐stream retention is found to be elevated in summer. In addition, we find that precipitation has a substantially larger influence on phosphorus export from agricultural lands than other source types, especially in summer, and that antecedent (May) precipitation significantly influences summer phosphorus export. Overall, our approach provides a data‐driven and probabilistic line of evidence to support watershed phosphorus management across different sources and seasons.