Capacity For Use Research Articles

Characterization of the commercial growth curves of Spanish Merino, Fleischschaf, and crossbred lambs in an associative economy context

We examined commercial growth curves of three sheep genotypes in a Second-Grade cooperative context, with Spanish Merino used as a maternal base, Fleischschaf as a paternal base, and crossbred (Fleischschaf × Merino) lambs as the commercial product. We included weight-age data collected from 2013 to 2016 for 9846 lambs of both sexes belonging to 14 herds across the three genotypes. Five of the most-cited models (Brody, von Bertalanffy, Verhulst, Logistic, and Gompertz) were applied to the data, using the determinative coefficient, mean square error, number of iterations, Akaike information coefficient, and the biological coherence of the estimated parameters as best-fitting criteria. The dataset included lamb weights at different ages and sexes, grouped across nine age levels, for a total of 23,299 wt records. Models were fitted according to non-linear regression. The von Bertalanffy model was found to best fit lambs of both sexes for the Spanish Merino breed, whereas the Verhulst model best fit Fleischschaf and crossbred lambs. Parameters of the best-fit curve and derived parameters (inflection age and weight, asymptotic value, growth rate, maturity degree) were estimated for all sex-genetic groups to examine capacities for use as complementary selection criteria in the breeding program, resulting in promising traits for this purpose. Our findings demonstrate that current crossbreeding strategies implemented at the OVISO cooperative, which seek complementarities and/or heterosis, are not achieving the expected results; therefore, we recommend a new strategy for the breeding program. We also found that artificially conceived Spanish Merino lambs exhibited better performance than those conceived naturally, likely due to superior genetics of carefully selected sires.

Surface Patterning of Lithium Metal: Novel Approach to Stable Li Metal Anodes

The global demand for energy storage systems for portable consumer devices such as cell phone, laptop including electric vehicles is clearly on the rise. To date, lithium ion batteries are considered the flagship battery system due to its high volumetric/gravimetric energy and power densities. Current lithium ion batteries exhibit a power density of 100-260 Whkg-1when layered spinel and olivine cathode material such as LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMnO4, and LiFePO4 are coupled with a graphite anode. With the recent demand for higher energy storage capacities for use in electric vehicles research has been focused on replacing graphite with Li metal as anode material owing to its high theoretical capacity of ~3800mAh/g. However, lithium anode suffers from growth of dendritic morphology and low columbic efficiency which leads to failure of the battery. The dendrite formation is caused by the non-uniform current density at the surface of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) which results in a high-surface area lithium (HSAL). A solution to prevent the HSAL formation is using uniform low current density and by increasing the active surface area, the actual current density can be kept low during plating/deplating process. Li electroplating is a well-studied phenomenon. However, the effect of electrode surface features on the resultant electrocrystallization process of Li from nucleation and growth perspective is not yet defined and well understood. In the present work, patterning of Li electrode surface was implemented and their effect on the the nucleation and growth process is studied. Various patterned Li electrodes (plain Li, Li-300, Li-2500) were assembled in CR2025 coin cell using commercial Li foil as counter electrode and tested at different areal current densities for plating and deplating. Fig 1a-c shows the evolution of voltage of plain Li foil, patterned Li-300 and Li-2500, respectively, on repeated plating and deplating at 0.5mA/cm2. The voltage profile can be identified as two distinct regions of nucleation overpotential (EN) and growth overpotential (EG) in the electrocrystallization process of Li. Depending on the Li surface, a noticeable change in the nucleation and growth overpotential is observed. Plain Li surface shows a very high EN (0.45V) as compared to the Li-300 (0.32V) indicating the formation of higher nucleation sites which results in HSAL. Li-300 and Li-2500 on the other hand, show rapid decrease in EN on cycling with similar nucleation and growth potential (>10th cycle) indicating growth of preexisting nucleation sites instead of creating fresh nucleation sites. For full cell testing, electrodes were made from slurry consisting of 90% Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4) with 5% Carbon (Super P) and 5% Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) cast on aluminum current collector and assembled in a CR2025 coin cell with different patterned Li electrodes. Long term cycling and rate capability tests were conducted at different current rates and their performance evaluated in terms of stability, columbic efficiency and charge/discharge capacities. Subsequently, electrical impedance spectroscopy and SEM analysis were carried out to understand the evolution of Li plating morphology and variation of electrochemical performance with different surface patterns. Results of these studies will be presented and discussed. Figure 1

Ni and Co doped yolk-shell type Fe2O3 hollow microspheres as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Ni and Co doped Fe2O3 hollow microspheres of yolk-shell type were designed and synthesized by using resin (RF-COOH) microspheres as hard template and subsequent calcination. Specific morphologies (walnut-like, jingle-bell-like and ball-like) and compositions of Fe2O3 with different amounts of Ni and Co doping were obtained by tuning metal precursor concentration to optimize their performance in lithium-ion battery application. When Ni and Co doped Fe2O3 hollow microspheres were used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, jingle-bell-like and ball-like morphologies showed better electrochemical performance with specific capacities of 415.7 and 414.1 mA h/g, respectively up to 200 cycles due to their stable construction with hollow cavity, porous shell and Ni and Co dopants. However, the specific capacity of Ni and Co doped Fe2O3@TiO2 hollow microspheres increased to 562 mA h/g. This work showed a new avenue for designing and fabricating yolk-shell hollow structures with specific morphologies and compositions in order to optimize their specific capacity for use in lithium-ion batteries.

Efficiency of ash components using in organo-mineral composition under the cultivation of winter wheat

The problem of optimization of phosphorus nutrition under the use of organo-mineral composition containing ash silicon and ash of sewage sludge is considered. It is indicated on the prospects of application of the ash components in the composition of the fertilizer mixture in order to mobilize phosphates of low solubility. The results of researches with determination of efficiency of use of compositions for cultivating winter wheat, the positive influence on root formation, absorption capacity for use of plants of hard soluble phosphate of sediment ash are proved. The using ash silicon together with phosphates of low solubility in the organo-mineral composition caused an increase in the total length of the root system, the total adsorption and working absorption surface of the roots, which contributed to an increase in phosphorus removal rates compared with tricalcium phosphate. The growth of phosphorus removal rates under the use of organo-mineral composition with Si component can be explained by additional absorption of phosphorus by the root system with increased surface and absorbing activity.

Decommissioned Power Battery Recycling and An Analysis of Relevant Urban Minerals Extensibility in China

It is recommended that decommissioned power batteries be categorized as scrap batteries for recycling or batteries with remaining capacity for use in cascade utilization. Leadership from the public sector combined with the power of social participation should see China taking the opportunity to develop the related extensibility research and work on urban minerals, encouraging upstream and downstream enterprises as well as terminal users to implement decommissioned power battery utilization.

A recommended rate for application of Chaetomium globosum ND35 fungus fertilizer on poplar plantations in China

Previous studies showed that Chaetomium globosum ND35 fungus fertilizer can improve the microbial community structure and enzyme activities of replanted soil. However, it remains unclear whether can improve the physiological and ecological characteristics of plants under successive rotation. In this study, we investigated the photosynthetic, physiological, and biochemical indexes including photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll content of 1-year-old poplar seedlings under seven different doses (range from 0 to 1.67 g kg−1) of C. globosum ND35 fungus fertilizer to study the effects of fungus fertilizer on photosynthesis of Poplar. Our results showed that: (1) With increasing application of fungus fertilizer in replanted soil, chlorophyll content of poplar leaves (Chl) increased, while physiological indexes such as electron transport rate (ETR), net photosynthetic rate (P n), quantum efficiency (Φ), nitrate reductase (NR) activity and root vigor initially increased and then declined. Meanwhile, heat dissipation that depended on the xanthophyll cycle declined and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) initially increased and then decreased. When the dose of C. globosum ND35 fungus fertilizer was 0.67 g kg−1 (T3) and 1.00 g kg−1 (T4), excess light energy of photosynthetic apparatus was reduced, and photosynthetic apparatus distributed more light energy to the direction of photochemical reactions, which improved the efficiency of energy use. Plant height and biomass of leaves, stems, and roots were maximum at T3. We conclude that applying appropriate amounts of C. globosum ND35 fungus fertilizer can improve root physiological activity and capacity for use of light by poplar leaves. This can improve the operating states of the photosynthetic apparatus and lead to increased photosynthetic efficiency of poplar leaves and accumulation of dry matter. This suggests a strategy to alleviate the successive rotation obstacle of soil nutrient depletion.

Antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents of 30 flowers

In order to find new sources of natural antioxidants, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of 30 flowers in their free, esterified and insoluble-bound forms were determined. Rosa rugosa Thunb (pink) showed the highest TPC, and Osmanthus fragrans had the highest TFC. The antioxidant activities of 30 flowers were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Rosa rugosa Thunb (purple) and Rosa rugosa Thunb (pink) had the highest DPPH (612.79 and 544.75μmol Trolox/g DW), FRAP (273.10 and 301.14μmol Trolox/g DW) and TEAC (1013.71 and 937.19μmol Trolox/g DW) value. Furthermore, several phenolic compounds were detected using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) technique, and (+)-catechin, ferulic acid, isoquercitrin, and quercitrin were widely found in these flowers. The results implied that the flowers were important natural sources of bioactive components with higher antioxidant capacities for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION IN NEPAL: EXPERIENCES AND ISSUES

A detail study on the experience of agricultural extension in Nepal was done by discussion with experts, academicians and involved agricultural officers of Nepal along with review of different documents, books and articles on the subject matter. Since from the first effort of extension service, Training and visit, Integrated Rural Development Approach, Tuki Approach, Farming System Research and Extension Approach, Block Production Program were the approaches used in the past. Conventional Educational Approach, Pocket Package Approach, Projectization Approach, Farmers Group Approach, Farmers Field School Approach, Partnership Approach are the approaches being followed presently in agricultural extension in Nepal. The extension efforts in the country are guided by the National Agricultural Extension Strategy. Department of agriculture under ministry of agricultural development is responsible for providing public extension service via District Agriculture Development Office (DADO), Agriculture Service Centre, Contact Centre, Model Agriculture Service Centre and Community Agriculture Service Centre at the farmers level. Farmers Group and cooperatives, International and National Nongovernmental organizations, Community Based Organizations and few private entities are providing the private extension services. major issues found in public extension systems are lack of motivation among the rural youths, farmers; natural resource degradation and climate change and sustainability issues; inadequate number of the extension workers and their qualification and skills; inadequate infrastructure and capacity for use of ICTs among the ground level extension workers; lack of monitoring and assessment of impact of extension activities in rural farmers; low level of need based extension coverage particularly for small farmers; ineffective and weak linkages between stakeholders at different levels; low level of education of farmers; insufficient budget and investment for extension activities; domination of supply driven approaches rather than demand driven; inadequate extension services in parts of value addition and market exposure.

Análise de conflito e dinâmica de uso da terra no município de Salto do Céu/MT

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de avaliar, por meio de geotecnologias, os conflitos e a dinâmica do uso da terra do município de Salto do Céu – MT. Foram utilizadas as imagens do Landsat 5 e Landsat 8 dos anos de 1984, 1993, 2003 e 2013, nas quais foram empregadas as técnicas de recorte, segmentação, classificação supervisionada e pós-classificação. A metodologia constou das etapas: definição dos compartimentos morfopedológicos, gerada pela associação dos mapas de geomorfologia e pedologia; análise da capacidade de uso das terras; e avaliação dos conflitos existentes quanto ao uso atual do solo em relação à referida capacidade de uso. Por fim, foram feitas as quantificações e elaborados os mapas. A Savana Florestada foi suprimida em 12,47% no período de 20 anos. A maioria das fitofisionomias foram substituídas pela Pecuária, ocorrendo um aumento de 16,90% dessa classe ao longo do período estudado. A Influência urbana apresentou 159,81% de crescimento no período analisado, o que pode ser devido o crescimento das atividades agropecuárias regionais, dando origem a comunidades e distritos próximos. Verificou-se que o município tem 58,10% de suas terras adaptadas para pastagens e reflorestamento, com problemas simples quanto à conservação. As áreas identificadas com baixo conflito de uso da terra representaram 72,28% da área total do município. Concluiu-se que a vegetação natural foi suprimida para que ocorresse a expansão da Pecuária e da área urbana, demostrando que a alteração da paisagem está condicionada pela economia regional, em que a Pecuária constitui a principal atividade. A análise indicou que o município de Salto do Céu possui terras com alto potencial de uso para Pecuária por apresentarem aptidão para o desenvolvimento da atividade, o que sugere que essas áreas encontram-se em relativo equilíbrio entre o suporte ecológico (no que diz respeito principalmente à susceptibilidade à erosão linear) e a exploração socioeconômica. Há necessidade de readequação do uso das terras nas áreas que apresentaram atividades em que ocorre alto conflito, bem como a fiscalização e controle nas mudanças dos usos, para que não ocorram problemas futuros relacionados à erosão.

Permafrost livelihoods: A transdisciplinary review and analysis of thermokarst-based systems of indigenous land use

Abstract In a context of scientific and public debates on permafrost degradation under global climate change, this article provides an integrated review and analysis of environmental and socio-economic trends in a subarctic region. It focuses on Sakha (Yakut) animal husbandry as an example of indigenous land use. Within Sakha-Yakutia’s boreal forests, animal husbandry takes place in thermokarst depressions containing grassland areas (alaas) that formed in the early Holocene in a complex interplay of local geological conditions, climate changes, and permafrost dynamics. The current scale and speed of environmental change, along with shifting socio-economic processes, increasingly challenges Sakha’s adaptive capacity in use of alaas areas. The paper synthesizes information on the evolution of permafrost landscapes and on the local inhabitants’ and scientific knowledge. It also probes land-use prospects for the near future. The imminence of challenges for alaas ecosystems requires a holistic understanding between researchers and stakeholder communities, which in turn depends on a comprehensive assessment of the dynamic interaction of physical and social drivers of change.

원격무장 고저 시스템용 사이클로이드 감속기 설계에 관한 연구

An essential mechanical element in an industrial machine is a reducer, which transfers the rotation of an electrical motor or engine to another part with amplified torque. Some reducers, such as planetary reduction gears, a harmonic reducer, or a cycloid reducer, have been applied in various industries. Given the increase of demand for reducers with high precision, compact size, and high load capacity for use in industrial robots, the cycloid reducer has stood out. The cycloid reducer, compared with planetary reduction gears, has some merits, which include a larger reduction gear ratio at only one stage, higher durability, improved efficiency, and a larger torque because of its high tooth-contact ratio despite its being small. This paper presents a design technique for a cycloid reducer intended, because of those merits, for use in remote weapons systems of armed vehicles. In order to verify the performance of the cycloid reducer, we carried out experiments and analyzed the results systematically.

Strengthening US Public Health Preparedness and Response Operations.

Strengthening US Public Health Preparedness and Response Operations.

Improved reversible redox cycles on MTiOx (M = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) particles afforded by rapid and stable oxygen carrier capacity for use in chemical looping combustion of methane

In this study, rutile TiO2 particles (MTiOx) incorporating 3d-metals, with their electrons more than half-filled, are synthesized for use in the chemical looping combustion of methane. The specific structures are obtained by doping the M-sites with Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu (FeTiOx, CoTiOx, NiTiOx, and CuTiOx), and they have the same M/Ti molar ratio of 1.0. XRD, SEM, CH4-TPD, TGA, and BET techniques were used to characterize the prepared materials. The XRD results confirmed that all of the prepared materials possessed pure hexagonal phases in the case of Co1Ti1Ox and Ni1Ti1Ox and mixed formations composed of metal oxides and rutile TiO2 in the case of Fe1Ti1Ox and Cu1Ti1Ox. The CH4-TPD and H2-TPR analyses showed that the highest adsorption is obtained on CuTiOx, in particular on Cu1.5Ti1Ox. The oxygen carrier capacities of the samples were measured in H2 (FR)/air (AR) and CH4-CO2 (FR)/air (AR) redox systems at 850°C using TGA analysis. Their variability was shown to be associated with the different doping elements and doping concentrations. In particular, the Cu1.5Ti1Ox material in the CH4-CO2 (FR)/air (AR) redox system exhibits oxygen uncoupling behaviour, leading to improved capture and release of oxygen compared to the other materials.

Towards Community Resilience, Focus on a Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Project in Swaziland

The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of different approaches of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in reducing and mitigating against potential risk of disaster and promoting community resilience. Lack of access to safe water supply, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene practices are among the leading causes of illness, death and malnutrition in developing countries. Using a resilience conceptual framework in the design of research, pre and post Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) surveys were administered to 450 randomly selected beneficiaries of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) supported WASH program in six constituencies that are prone to drought and water borne diseases. Guided direct observation was used to assess the status WASH infrastructure at project inception and completion. Results of the study indicated increases in the percentage of target population with access to safe water, water usage in litres per person and improvement in sanitation and hygiene practices. They were improvements in the community participation, learning and capacity in use and management of WASH infrastructure meaning that effective promotion of WASH during relief, recovery and development programming to build infrastructure and human capacity prepares communities to face future WASH related hazards.

Towards a transportable, validated and culturally sensitive metric of work capacity for use in subsistence agricultural workforce health assessment in Democratic Republic of Congo

Towards a transportable, validated and culturally sensitive metric of work capacity for use in subsistence agricultural workforce health assessment in Democratic Republic of Congo

Translational Challenge Models in Support of Efficacy Studies: Neurobehavioral and Cognitive Changes Induced by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Healthy Volunteers.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) was proposed as a neurophysiological tool almost three decades ago. It now encompasses a very wide range of applications including clinical research and the treatment of psychiatric, neurologic and medical conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, addictions, post-traumatic stress disorders, pain, migraine, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, autism, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. By inducing electrical brain responses through the administration of magnetic pulses, TMS is in a unique position to painlessly modulate cortical regions and offers good spatial resolution and excellent temporal resolution, particularly when applied using single pulses. However, despite the impressive number of papers describing the use of TMS to modulate cognitive functions, the mechanisms underlying the behavioral changes observed after stimulation have not been fully identified. Here we present a review of the ability of TMS to transiently compromise brain function in humans. The primary aim was to investigate its capacity for use as a 'cognitive challenge model' in human pharmacological studies. The data reviewed include findings on executive function, attention and episodic memory. For each cognitive process, the convergent and divergent results are discussed in terms of paradigm differences and in order to define the optimal methodology for obtaining the desired effects.

Enzymatic capacities of metabolic fuel use in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and responses to food deprivation: insight into the metabolic organization and starvation survival strategy of cephalopods

Food limitation is a common challenge for animals. Cephalopods are sensitive to starvation because of high metabolic rates and growth rates related to their "live fast, die young" life history. We investigated how enzymatic capacities of key metabolic pathways are modulated during starvation in the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) to gain insight into the metabolic organization of cephalopods and their strategies for coping with food limitation. In particular, lipids have traditionally been considered unimportant fuels in cephalopods, yet, puzzlingly, many species (including cuttlefish) mobilize the lipid stores in their digestive gland during starvation. Using a comprehensive multi-tissue assay of enzymatic capacities for energy metabolism, we show that, during long-term starvation (12days), glycolytic capacity for glucose use is decreased in cuttlefish tissues, while capacities for use of lipid-based fuels (fatty acids and ketone bodies) and amino acid fuels are retained or increased. Specifically, the capacity to use the ketone body acetoacetate as fuel is widespread across tissues and gill has a previously unrecognized capacity for fatty acid catabolism, albeit at low rates. The capacity for de novo glucose synthesis (gluconeogenesis), important for glucose homeostasis, likely is restricted to the digestive gland, contrary to previous reports of widespread gluconeogenesis among cephalopod tissues. Short-term starvation (3-5days) had few effects on enzymatic capacities. Similar to vertebrates, lipid-based fuels, putatively mobilized from fat stores in the digestive gland, appear to be important energy sources for cephalopods, especially during starvation when glycolytic capacity is decreased perhaps to conserve available glucose.

A coordinated strategic reserve to safeguard the European energy transition

In Germany and beyond, various capacity mechanisms are currently being discussed with a view to improving the security of electricity supply. One of these mechanisms is a strategic reserve that retains generation capacity for use in times of critical supply shortage. We argue that strategic reserves have specific advantages compared to other capacity mechanisms in the context of the European energy transition. To date, however, the debate on capacity mechanisms has largely been restricted to national contexts. Against this background, we discuss the feasibility and potential benefits of coordinated cross-border strategic reserves to safeguard electricity supply and aid the energy transition in Germany and neighboring countries at large. Setting aside strategic reserve capacity which is deployed only in the event of extreme supply shortages could improve the security of electricity supply without distorting the EU's internal electricity market. In addition, overall costs may decrease when reserve procurement and activation are coordinated among countries, particularly if combined with flow-based market coupling.

A Coordinated Strategic Reserve to Safeguard the European Energy Transition

In Germany and beyond, various capacity mechanisms are currently being discussed with a view to improving the security of electricity supply. One of these mechanisms is a strategic reserve that retains generation capacity for use in times of critical supply shortage. We argue that strategic reserves have specific advantages compared to other capacity mechanisms in the context of the European energy transition. To date, however, the debate on capacity mechanisms has largely been restricted to national contexts. Against this background, we discuss the feasibility and potential benefits of coordinated cross-border strategic reserves to safeguard electricity supply and aid the energy transition in Germany and neighboring countries at large. Setting aside strategic reserve capacity which is deployed only in the event of extreme supply shortages could improve the security of electricity supply without distorting the EU’s internal electricity market. In addition, overall costs may decrease when reserve procurement and activation are coordinated among countries, particularly if combined with flow-based market coupling.

Validation of the Spanish Version of the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10spa) in Colombia. A Blinded Prospective Cohort Study.

Dysphagia might affect 12% of the general population, and its complications include pneumonia, malnutrition, social isolation, and death. No validated Spanish symptom survey exists to quantify dysphagia symptoms among Latin Americans. Therefore, we performed a prospective cohort study in a tertiary care university hospital to validate the Spanish version of the 10-Item Eating-Assessment-Tool (EAT-10spa) for use in Colombia. After an interdisciplinary committee of five bilingual specialists evaluated the EAT-10spa(translated and validated in Spain) and deemed it appropriate for the Colombian culture, its feasibility, reliability, validity, sensitivity to change, and diagnostic capacity were evaluated. As a reference standard, we used the flexibleendoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing and a standardized clinical evaluation. All assessments were blinded. In total, 133 subjects were included (52% women, mean age 55years) and completed the EAT-10spa (median completion time: 2min [IQR 1-3min]), 39% of whom had an elementary-level education. Cronbach's α coefficient: 0.91; test-retest intra-class correlation coefficient: 0.94. The Spearman's correlation coefficient of the EAT-10spa with the 8-point penetration-aspiration scale was 0.54 (P<0.001). The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic-curve (AUC-ROC) for dysphagia and aspiration were 0.79 (P<0.001)and 0.81 (P<0.001), respectively. The best cut-off points for dysphagia and aspiration were EAT-10spa ≥2 (sensitivity 93.6%, specificity 36.4%) and EAT-10spa ≥4 (sensitivity 94.3%, specificity 49.5%), respectively. A reduction in the EAT-10 ≥3 was the best cut-off point for a clinically significant improvement (AUC-ROC 0.83; P<0.0001). The EAT-10spa showed excellent psychometric properties and discriminatory capacity for use in Colombia.