Level Of Intensification Research Articles

Unraveling the impact of variable external input use on the cost efficiency of dairy farms in Europe

There has been a global shift towards intensification in the dairy sector in recent years which may have considerable impact on the cost efficiency and economic returns of farms. Considering this, the goal of this study is to offer an empirical analysis of the effect of variable external input use on dairy farms. Employing a novel Activity Analysis Model (AAM), the study analysis was conducted in two distinct but complementary steps. In the first step, we discriminated two technologies (low and high inputs) which allow us to classify a sample of dairy farms according to their level of intensification, while in the second step, we evaluated two cost efficient frontiers instead of assessing individual farm inefficiency scores. With this approach, we explore different technologies within a sample of EU dairy farms. Our results, on average, shows that agricultural practices using low inputs dominates the high input ones for farms operating on a large scale while a slight dominance of high input over low inputs exist for small scale farmers. While we reckon that low input can be cost competitive with their high input counterparts, we also note that regional differences do exist. Thus, showing that the significant gap between the two discriminating frontiers depends not only on farm size but also on farm region. We found that increased cost efficiency can reduce the negative environmental impact of EU-dairy farms while simultaneously reducing farmers’ production costs. The results of the study can therefore provide a direction to policymakers and dairy farmers alike as regards the efficient use of external inputs which may consequently reduce environmental burdens associated with dairy farms. • Grazing Livestock units differentiates our sample into unique technologies and sizes. • Low Input farms can be cost competitive with their high input counterparts. • Gap between two farming systems largely depend on farm size and regions. • Increased cost efficiency has an impact on the environmental performance of dairy farmers.

Separation of middle boiling trace compounds by distillation: An investigation of practical implications of complex column arrangements on an industrial methanol distillation case study

AbstractThe drive to achieve greater energy efficiencies is well‐established in the fine chemical industries with distillation processes being a key focus due to their disproportionate energy consumption totaling more than 40% of the overall plant. The objective of this paper is to specifically focus on the energy efficiency benefits that would be realized by employing intensified distillation column configurations on a high purity, multicomponent, high recovery industrial methanol distillation where a middle boiling trace ethanol component must be managed to ensure on specification production (<10 ppm wt. ethanol in product and <5 ppm impurities in bottoms). Based on technology maturity constraints, five column configurations were selected for further analysis, comprising a direct synthesis configuration, a side draw column, a Petlyuk inspired recovery column arrangement, a divided wall column, and a cut divided wall column. These configurations were then simulated on an industrial process simulator where all configurations were able to match the strict industrial product specifications and design limits. The energy usage of the column configurations was improved through a systematic analysis, and the results revealed that all intensified columns have a superior energy usage compared to the direct synthesis configuration but with the gains limited to only 3%. An unbiased consideration of the energy efficiency results, together with other external factors including cost of capital and operability, shows that the recovery column configuration would be the most practical choice despite the presence of the divided wall column configuration which represents a greater level of intensification and integration.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Fecal Escherichia coli from Humans and Pigs at Farms at Different Levels of Intensification.

The overall aim of the current study was to test the hypotheses that (i) antibiotic resistance in bacteria were more frequent in clinically health pigs in intensified company owned, medium-scale farms (MSFs) (100–500 sows) than in pigs in family-owned, small-scale farms (SSFs) (1–50 sows) and (ii) that farmers working at the MSFs were more prone to attain antibiotic resistant bacteria than farmers working at SSFs. The study was conducted in North-Eastern Thailand, comprising fecal Escherichia coli isolates from pigs, farmers working with the pigs (contact humans) and persons living in the same household as the farmer (non-contact humans) at 51 MSFs and 113 SSFs. Samples from all farms were also screened for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which was not detected in pig samples, but was found in one human sample. Susceptibility was tested by disc-diffusion for seven antibiotics commonly used in the study area. Resistance in pig isolates from MSFs were more frequent for chloramphenicol which (P < 0.001), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (P < 0.001) and gentamicin (P < 0.05) compared with isolates from SSFs, whereas the opposite was true for tetracycline (P < 0.01). Resistance in the human isolates was lower than those in the isolates from pigs for tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol (P < 0.001). The frequency of resistance in the contact human samples from SSFs and MSFs did not differ. There was no difference between isolates from contact and non-contact humans for any of the tested antibiotics. Multidrug resistance in isolates from pigs was 26%, significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the 13% from humans. The data indicate that (i) resistance to antibiotics, including those critical and highly important for human medicine, were more common in fecal E. coli from pigs at the MSFs than at the SSFs, whereas (ii) the resistance in fecal E. coli from pig farmers seemed not to be influenced by the level of intensification of the farm they were working at.

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ ИНТЕНСИВНОГО ВЫРАЩИВАНИЯ АФРИКАНСКОГО СОМА

The article discusses current issues of increasing the level of intensification of the cultivation of African catfish by expanding the diet, mechanizing the feeding process depending on the age of the fish, bringing the living conditions closer to natural conditions and improving the technology for processing waste from closed water supply installations. The initial data used are the results obtained by practical methods, and a patented technical solution. The proposed technology is non-waste, environmentally friendly and can be used to equip various types of fish farming systems for cleaning from organic pollutants.

Integrated crop–livestock systems in lowlands increase the availability of nutrients to irrigated rice

AbstractIntegrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) associated with crop rotation and soil conservation management cause numerous changes in nutrient fluxes and soil biochemical dynamics. In this sense, there is a gap in the impact of integrated production systems on nutrient dynamics and soil microbial activity in lowlands. In this context, this work had the objective of evaluating the nutrient availability and the activity of extracellular enzymes in a Gleyic Luvic Planosol under ICLS. The experiment has five paddy‐farming systems with a range of crop diversity (both in time and space) and grazing occurring mainly in the winter season. Soil solution samples were taken in cropping seasons (2014/2015, 2015/2016, and 2016/2017), from the first day after flooding (DAF) to approximately 70 DAF. The integration of rice with livestock increased urease activity (+84%), β‐glucosidase (+49%), and fluorescein diacetate (+105%), especially as the level of diversification and use intensification of pastures. In general, there was an increase in the availability of ammonium (+70%), phosphorus (+177%), potassium (+62%), and calcium (+20%) in the soil solution with the adoption of ICLS and soil conservation management, compared with the traditional rice system. Thus, the adoption of ICLS contributes to increase the process of biochemical functioning of the soil with consequent intensification of nutrient cycling and availability. Thus, the ICLS can sustainably increase nutrient availability in the soil and reduce the need to feed large amounts of fertilizer into irrigated rice production systems.

Global cropland intensification surpassed expansion between 2000 and 2010: A spatio-temporal analysis based on GlobeLand30

Cropland expansion and intensification are the two main strategies for increasing food production. Here, we investigated the spatio-temporal patterns of global cropland expansion and intensification between 2000 and 2010 using the GlobeLand30 dataset. In doing so, we first analyzed the expansion and loss of global cropland at different spatial scales. Second, we quantified cropland intensification from the perspective of output and mapped its global spatial distribution. Third, nine coupled patterns of cropland expansion and intensification were identified, and the contributions of these two strategies to global crop production were finally estimated and compared. The results show that global cropland increased slightly (2.19%) during 2000–2010, with the American continent having the largest net increase (0.21 million km2) and Africa having the highest magnitude of increase (7.42%) as well as the most substantial spatial variation. Among the world's top ten countries with the largest cropland areas, China was the only country which experienced cropland decrease, while cropland in Brazil and Argentina increased the most. Moreover, we found that Brazil ranked first in cropland intensification, followed by China, India and Ukraine. More than one-third of countries' cropland had stable area and moderate intensification, suggesting that agricultural land systems did not cause significant environmental harm globally during this period. Ten countries (e.g., Brazil and Algeria) experienced significant cropland expansion as well as a high level of intensification, suggesting that they could be major contributors to global crop production as well as environmental change. Cropland expansion largely boosted crop production improvement in Asia, while cropland intensification was the dominant factor for crop production in Europe and America. Overall, cropland intensification contributed much more than expansion to improving global agricultural production during 2000 and 2010. Our results gain a comprehensive overview of spatio-temporal patterns of global cropland expansion and intensification, which can provide helpful insights for the international community and individual countries to better guide land use planning, adjust agricultural structure and coordinate food trade so as to achieve a sustainable development of agriculture.

ANALISIS SINERGITAS TARIK ULUR KEPENTINGAN DALAM PRODUKSI PERTANIAN DAN JASA LINGKUNGAN

Synergi analysis of the tugging of interest in agricultural production and envirometal services. Conversion of land functions into intensive agriculture can cause degradation or declining land capability. This is because farmers' orientation is always on production and ignoring environmental services. Intensive agriculture always causes environmental problems, resulting in a tug of war in agricultural production and environmental services. The purpose of this study is to find out how much intensive land use has resulted in a deterioration of environmental services. This research was carried out on intensive agricultural land (Horticulture) (PI), AF-CK (cloves), AF-KK (cocoa), AF-KM (candlenut), AF-KP (coffee), owned by farmers and AF-HS (forest secondary) in Tn. Kelimutu National. This research uses interviews and exploration methods. The results showed that the level of intensification of horticultural land use in Kelimutu was classified as very intensive with an R-value and an LUI index = 79, the survey results showed that the density of earthworm populations in SPL-AF was as low as the population in SPL-HS, on average only 3 tails m-2, while in SPL-PI the average is only 0.24 m 2. The earthworm biomass in AF is about 69% smaller than the worms found in SPL-HS; earthworm biomass average in SPL-AF 15 g m-2 while in SPL-HS an average of 47 g m-2; and the smallest worm biomass found in SPL-PI averaging about 2.3 g m-2. The diversity of earthworms is significantly different between land uses. The average diversity of earthworms (H ') reaches 0.88; Index R = 0.34; and Index E = 0.92. The four species that dominate are 1). Pontoscolex (endogeik, INP = 48.52), 2). Megascolex (endogeik; INP 44,61), 3). Pheretima (epigeic, INP 35.29), and 4). Lumbricus (epigeic, INP = 13.01)

Biogas to H2 conversion with CO2 capture using chemical looping technology: Process simulation and comparison to conventional reforming processes

H2 is a clean fuel and crucial industrial substance with rapidly increasing global demand. Although the combustion and utilization of H2 does not emit CO2, the production of H2 from fossil fuels is associated with heavy CO2 emissions. Biogas is a renewable, carbon neutral energy source that can be potentially used as a substitute for fossil fuels for H2 production. Furthermore, with CO2 capture, H2 production from biogas can become CO2 negative. However, the energy efficiency of the conversion from biogas to H2 is usually significantly lower than natural gas-based H2 production processes due to the energy consumption associated with CO2 separation. This study presents an iron-based chemical looping technology as an alternative pathway to convert biogas into H2. This chemical looping process requires neither upstream biogas compression and purification, nor downstream CO2 removal and H2 purification, hence achieving a great level of process intensification. The chemical looping process, as well as the conventional steam methane reforming and mixed reforming processes for biogas to H2 conversion, are simulated in ASPEN to compare their performance. This simulation study shows that the chemical looping process can directly use biogas with CO2 volume ratio ranging from 0 to 50% to achieve 13–14% (relative percentage) increase in cold gas efficiency and 15–20% (relative percentage) increase in effective thermal efficiency over conventional reforming processes.

FEATURES OF IMPLEMENTATION OF BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF PRODUCTIVITY OF CORN HYBRID GRAIN IN FOREST-TREATMENT WESTERN SIBERIA

The results of three-year studies (2016–2018) of the global gene pool of maize hybrids on leached chernozem of the forest-steppe of Western Siberia are presented. The features of the realization of the biological potential of grain productivity are studied. It is shown that an increased level of production intensification allows to realize a high biological potential of corn grain productivity of different ecological-geographical profile. Hybrids of the first generation of domestic and foreign gene pool provided high photosynthetic parameters in relation to the conditions of the forest-steppe Priobye. The maximum leaf area of such hybrids as Clifton F1 and Korifey F1 exceeded 40 thousand m 2 / ha. The photosynthetic potential of Clifton F1 hybrid plants reached 3418 thousand m 2 · day / ha. The latter hybrid was distinguished by a high intensity of plant growth and development, which made it possible to form a high biological potential for the productivity of green mass and grain. Under conditions of irrigated agriculture in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia, the maximum yield of corn hybrids was at the level of 8 t / ha. It was established that maize hybrids Talisman (yield 8.4 t / ha), Gitago (8.3 t / ha), Delitop (7 t / ha), Falcon (6.8 t / ha) had a high ecological plasticity under extreme conditions Western Siberia and ensured high productivity with good quality of grain. The highest grain yield of maize Kuban 101 (maximum 6 t / ha) was found at a seeding rate of 6-7 grains per 1 m running length.

ВЫБОР ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ В РАСТЕНИЕВОДСТВЕ: ПОДХОДЫ И МЕТОДЫ, ПРИМЕНЯЕМЫЕ В ИНФОРМАЦИОННЫХ СИСТЕМАХ

The studies were carried out in order to justify the possibilities of increasing crop production based on the effective use of approaches and methods used in information systems for the choice of agricultural technologies, taking into account the agroecological, soil-climatic and production conditions of agricultural producers. Evaluation of information systems developed for the farms of the Russian Federation was carried out according to the following indicators: consideration of factors limiting grain production; availability of criteria for assessing agricultural technologies; type of information system. Agroecological, soil, climatic and production conditions, as well as the level of intensification, are identified as factors limiting grain production. The selection includes both search databases and management decision support systems that highlight approaches and methods for solving the problem of choosing agrotechnology for the production of grain crops. In approaches based on the general principle of taking into account the influence of factors of the location of the economy and its production conditions, economic evaluation of options is carried out after the choice of agricultural technology. When using economic and mathematical models, the choice of agricultural technologies is based on the economic assessment of alternative options. These approaches are implemented both in the form of local information systems, and systems based on cloud technologies. Based on the research results, systems based on economic-mathematical models and made in the form of web applications are recognized as the most promising. A generalized architecture of applications executed in the form of Web applications is given. The use of information systems (cloud technologies) for the analysis of natural factors, the use of technology and the potential of agricultural practices, crops and varieties will allow us to predict the possible result from making managerial decisions aimed at increasing grain production due to the integrated consideration of the agroecological, soil-climatic and production conditions of a particular agricultural producer.

Understanding cell culture medium dynamics as a key stepping stone to optimistation of cell therapy bioprocessing

Background & Aim The design of processes to manufacture Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) is particularly challenging due to the dynamic cell culture environment and the complex response of the cell product. An approach to process design needs to achieve a balance between resource spent and process knowledge gained to meet manufacturing goals around cost, quality and risk. In order to address this, we developed a parsimonious mathematical modelling framework designed to allow representation of common mechanisms in cell culture, and associated process operations, that drive cell culture outcomes. We propose that this framework can be applied to generate widely applicable ‘template models’ and experimental strategies for process optimization. In particular, that such templates can be used to provide a rapid definition of operating space for cell culture operations associated with medium supply. In this case we have demonstrated the application to define provision rates of elements that support cell growth in a hematopoietic lineage culture system. Methods, Results & Conclusion Building on a model that defined the influence of environmental change (incorporated as a single non-specific variable linked to cell growth and density) on population growth, we have defined the cell culture dynamics in response to specific elements sch as growth factor provision. We have shown how achieving the correct combination of delivery rates of growth factors with other factors (e.g. metabolic) can ensure that each is used with maximal efficiency, significantly driving down volume use (more than 3-fold) and process supplementation costs. The models also define the corollary of such intensification in terms of increasingly demanding process control with respect to volume handling and process timing; however, an advantage of the level of intensification achieved is that the system oxygen demand increases to a level that oxygen input rates can be used to identify cell-inhibition in advance of reduced viability. This work demonstrates that models that appropriately represent common medium associated process dynamics will be a key tool to achieve the risk and cost reduction required for ATMP manufacture.

State Backing of Modernization of Main Funds of Agricultural Purpose within a Matter of Increasing Food Security of Russia

Logistical support is one of the main factors for the modernization of agricultural production and the agro-industrial complex and for the providing its stable innovative development (Russia can get out of the crisis of food dependence and increase national food security only this way), the level of production intensification, branch labor productivity, its competitiveness depends on it. The purpose of the research is the foundation of ways to improve the efficiency of the use of basic productive assets for agricultural purposes Downswing of number of equipment took place from 1995 to 2000. The almost complete liquidation of large agricultural enterprises, the transfer of equipment to private farms, the crisis situation of the remaining enterprises led to the loss of machine and tractor fleet. By 2016, the fleet of basic equipment had cut totally in 14 times, including tractors - in 12 times, combines: grain harvesting - in 11 times, flax harvesting - 103 times, forage harvesters -9 times, milking parlor - in 9 times. Results: analysis of measures of direct state regulation, which involve the development, approval and financing of investment projects carried out independently and together with foreign investors; giving of guarantees on a competitive basis; placement of budgetary funds in financing of investment projects on a competitive basis; issue of bonded and guaranteed targeted loans and other forms.

Three-Dimensional Flow Characteristics in Slit-Type Permeable Spur Dike Fields: Efficacy in Riverbank Protection

This paper focuses on finding efficient solutions for the design of a highly permeable pile spur (or slit type) dike field used in morphologically dynamic alluvial rivers. To test the suitability of different arrangements of this type of permeable pile spur dike field, laboratory experiments were conducted, and a three-dimensional multiphase numerical model was developed and applied, based on the experimental conditions. Three different angles to the approach flow and two types of individual pile position arrangements were tested. The results show that by using a series of slit-type spurs, the approach velocity of the flow can be considerably reduced within the spur dike zone. Using different sets of angles and installation positions, this type of permeable spur dike can be used more efficiently than traditional dikes. Notably, this type of spur dike can reduce the longitudinal velocity, turbulence intensity, and bed shear stress in the near-bank area. Additionally, the deflection of the permeable spur produces more transverse flow to the opposite bank. Arranging the piles in staggered grid positions among different spurs in a spur dike field improves functionality in terms of creating a quasi-uniform turbulence zone while simultaneously reducing the bed shear stress. Finally, the efficacy of the slit-type permeable spur dike field as a solution to the riverbank erosion problem is numerically tested in a reach of a braided river, the Brahmaputra–Jamuna River, and a comparison is made with a conventional spur dike field. The results indicate that the proposed structure ensures the smooth passing of flow compared with that for the conventional impermeable spur structure by producing a lower level of scouring (low bed shear stress) and flow intensification.

Process Analysis of Chemical Looping Systems for Dimethyl Ether Synthesis from Coal

Coal is an essential primary energy source in modern industry. An important pathway of coal utilization is to gasify coal into syngas, which is then used for downstream production of numerous chemicals such as methanol and liquid fuels. Despite its wide applications, conventional coal gasification still faces challenges such as the use of a costly air separation unit and limited syngas H2/CO ratio. Chemical looping gasification technology is a promising alternative to replace conventional coal gasification with increased thermal efficiency and higher level of process intensification. This study presents the process analysis of chemical looping coal gasification and its integration with downstream production of dimethyl ether (DME) to reveal the advantages of the chemical looping scheme compared to conventional gasification schemes. This study discusses the simulation strategies to maintain adiabatic operation in the chemical looping system. The operating parameters of the chemical looping system are adjusted to achieve the maximum cold gas efficiency in one case study, while the operating parameters of the chemical looping system are adjusted to achieve the maximum effective thermal efficiency in another case study. These two chemical looping cases involve the integration of the chemical looping system with the DME synthesis in a process that considers overall process material and heat flows and power consumption and generation. An exergy analysis is also conducted for these two integrated chemical looping cases, revealing that they both can achieve around 10% increase in exergy efficiency over the conventional gasification system.

Drivers of the national and regional crop production-derived greenhouse gas emissions in China

Modern crop production practices are now recognized as being responsible for a significant volume of greenhouse gas emissions. Here, an analysis was undertaken to quantify crop production-related greenhouse gas emissions in China over the period 1991–2015, using Kaya’s equation to identify its drivers. The Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index method was adopted to separately quantify the contributions of the efficiency, structure, economy and labor factors. The analysis identified that the efficiency, structure and labor factors acted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of 455.93, 49.42, 98.75 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, respectively, while the economy factor contributed to increase of 637.30 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. On a regional basis, the contributions to the national greenhouse gas emissions differed, ranging from −8.24 to 20.86 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. Furthermore, the influence of efficiency, structure, economy and labor factors also varied significantly by region. For each region, the management of different factors or combinations of these would be necessary in order to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions in the future: for the northern, north-western and north-eastern regions, it was the efficiency, structure and labor factors; for the eastern region it was the economy factor; for the central-southern region it was the economy and the labor factors; and for the south-western region it was all four factors. Regarding the effect of the efficiency factor, controlling this requires the reduction of chemical fertilizer usage and submerged irrigation time, and the selection of good varieties. With respect to the structure factor effect, the optimization of the agriculture structure is required, particularly in Gansu, Hainan and Shanghai. As for the economic factor, managing its effect requires a moderate economic growth rate with a higher quality of economic development, and the acceleration of the development of agricultural science and technology innovation, guidance and promotion. Finally, the labor factor effect may be controlled with the improvement of the level of agricultural intensification. This study identified, decomposed and quantified the driving factors of the national and regional crop production-derived greenhouse gas emissions and provided practice ways for greenhouse gas inhabitation in China.

MODELING HEAT EXCHANGE DEPENDING ON THE PRANDTL NUMBER FOR VARIOUS GEOMETRIC AND REGIME PARAMETERS

Objectives. The aim is to study the dependency of the distribution of integral heat transfer during turbulent convective heat transfer in a pipe with a sequence of periodic protrusions of semicircular geometry on the Prandtl number using the calculation method based on a numerical solution of the system of Reynolds equations closed using the Menter’s shear stress transport model and the energy equation on different-sized intersecting structured grids.Method. A calculation was carried out on the basis of a theoretical method based on the solution of the Reynolds equations by factored finite-volume method closed with the help of the Menter shear stress transport model, as well as the energy equation on different-scaled intersecting structured grids (fast composite mesh method (FCOM)).Results. The calculations performed in the work showed that with an increase in the Prandtl number at small Reynolds numbers, there is an initial noticeable increase in the relative heat transfer. With additional increase in the Prandtl number, the relative heat transfer changes less: for small steps, it increases; for median steps it is almost stabilised, while for large steps it declines insignificantly. At large Reynolds numbers, the relative heat transfer decreases with an increase in the Prandtl number followed by its further stabilisation.Conclusion. The study analyses the calculated dependencies of the relative heat transfer on the Pr Prandtl number for various values of the relative h/D height of the turbulator, the relative t/D pitch between the turbulators and for various values of the Re Reynolds number. Qualitative and quantitative changes in calculated parameters are described all other things being equal. The analytical substantiation of the obtained calculation laws is that the height of the turbuliser is less for small Reynolds numbers, while for large Reynolds numbers, it is less than the height of the wall layer. Consequently, only the core of the flow is turbulised, which results in an increase in hydroresistance and a decrease in heat transfer. In the work on the basis of limited calculation material, a tangible decrease in the level of heat transfer intensification for small Prandtl numbers is theoretically confirmed. The obtained results of intensified heat transfer in the region of low Prandtl numbers substantiate the promising development of research in this direction. The theoretical data obtained in the work have determined the laws of relative heat transfer across a wide range of Prandtl numbers, including in those areas where experimental material does not currently exist.

Теорія i практика вищої професійної освіти в Україні

The article examines the problem of the process of association of Ukraine with European Union and integration into European and world educational spheres the features of which are related to the nature of global processes, and also with the specific terms of development of social, economic, political, cultural and educational life of our country. Dynamic processes of social and economic life, changes in the system of compulsory secondary education revealed contradictory tendencies in the sphere of professional preparation of teachers in Ukraine: deep professionalization of secondary school teachers’ practice becomes more important; integration of knowledge from different spheres is noticed; importance of integrated skills and abilities for realization of professional pedagogical practice increases. Realization of tasks of professional preparation of teachers depends on the condition of pedagogical education that demands objective analysis of the accumulated international and national experience of pre-service and post-graduate preparation of teachers as the major source of modern professional pedagogic preparation strategy determination. Analysis of the works of famous scholars confirms the need for concentration of teachers around universities as this enables the increase of academic level of teacher education and intensification of interaction between education and research. Reform should be directed to a system of education in which basic education is corresponding formal qualifications that are relatively universal and can easily be completed by further education. So we may conclude that in order to increase educational potential of the country much attention should be paid to improving the system of professional preparation of teachers as only due to highly educated teachers the country would be able to take a decent place in the world and be competitive. The level of school cannot be better than the professional level of teachers who work there so improvement of education system of each country depends directly upon the quality of professional preparation of teachers. Education should be coordinated with each stage of the country's development. Educational infrastructures in the school system are worthless if there are no trained, competent teachers to manage them. This has been shown to be a significant difference between academically competent teachers and professionally qualified teachers. Professionalization is the best way to improve working conditions of teachers and their professional activity. Measures taken to improve the skills of teachers in many states of the USA are primarily driven by modification strategies, which are influenced by strengthening of the role of the state in the education system.

Water footprint of livestock products and production systems: a review

This paper reviews the small but growing literature on the water footprint (WF) of livestock production and provides an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this indicator. We identified 42 papers published in peer-reviewed international journals between 2000 and 2017, which covered the WF of dairy, meat and egg production using life-cycle assessment and WF network methodologies. The WF of livestock products decreases with the level of intensification of the farming system. In addition, the WF of meat is higher than that of either milk or eggs. The WF of beef is much larger than the WFs from sheep, goat, pork and chicken. The WF variation among different animal products is explained by the difference of the feed conversion ratio. Ruminants (cattle, sheep and goat) have a poor feed conversion ratio compared with monogastric animals (poultry and swine). Estimating the WF of livestock production and economic analysis of water use at different stages of production will help farmers and other stakeholders to identify the most demanding activities in term of water use, and implement strategies to improve water-use efficiency. Thus, feed production was identified as the largest contributor of the WF of livestock production. Options to reduce the WF of livestock production include the use of low-WF feeds, more efficient irrigation of crops used for livestock feed, and reduced consumption of animal-sourced protein in human diets through substitution with plant proteins. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis highlighted the importance of combining WF with other environmental-footprint and sustainability indicators to provide more reliable information for decision makers.

Моделювання родючості ґрунту та продуктивності озимих зернових культур залежно від природних і агротехнічних заходів у Південному Степу України

It is set that a decision of problem of increase of production of high-quality grain-growing goods with diminishing of charges on condition of maintenance of the ecological state of environment and increase of level of fertility of soil was and remains an important task for agriculture of Ukraine. The important condition of increase of efficiency of production of high-quality grain-growing goods are determination and introduction of effective technologies of growing of wheat of winter-annual at different ground-climatic terms country. Certainly, that important is research of structural-aggregate composition of soil that determines him water-air and thermal mode and substantially influences on forming of diet of cultural plants and their productivity. The of long duration agricultural use of soils results in the changes of not only agrochemical but also agrophysics properties, the depth of that is predefined by the level of intensification of production. There is a necessity for systematic research of such changes for establishment of optimal basic parameters of physical properties of soil with the aim of optimization of technologies of growing and development of the scientifically reasonable systems of maintenance, renewal and fertility-improving of soils. The results of the researches got in the of long duration field experiments during 1971–2007 are represented in the article. A research aim was a design of fertility of soil and productivity of winter-annual grain-crops depending on natural and agrotechnical measures in South Steppe of Ukraine. Researches executed on the experienced field of the Odesa state agricultural experimental station of the National academy of agrarian sciences of Ukraine. Determined the action of the systematic bringing of organic and mineral fertilizers during six rotary presses of the crop rotation and influence of their after an action during the last two rotary presses simultaneously with the direct action of fertilizers. A reiteration in experience is triple with the systematic placing of reiterations and variants; reiteration in time – fourfold with the successive including on one field in a crop rotation. In the crop rotation set the action of the systems of fertilizer, that during four rotary presses included variants: without fertilizers and with application of organic, mineral and organic-mineral systems of fertilizer. A pus and mineral fertilizers brought in twice for a rotary press: in the field black pair and corn of milk-waxen ripeness. Mineral fertilizers as ammoniac saltpetre, superphosphate granular and potassium salt brought in under basic till of soil. Investigated the consistently growing norms of bringing of mineral nitrogen in composition a complete mineral fertilizer. It is set that in a top-soil at bringing of organic fertilizers part of blocky faction grew, and intent diminished in relation to the unfertilized variant. With application of the organic-mineral system of fertilizer with the single and one-and-a-half norm of bringing of pus and mineral fertilizers blocky faction of arable layer diminished both relatively to the organic system and to organic-mineral with a less satiation mineral fertilizers. Among the marked variants comparatively the greater level of blocky faction is marked with application of mineral fertilizers. It is set on results research, that with the increase of norm of bringing of mineral nitrogen in composition the organic-mineral systems of fertilizer gets worse structurally aggregate composition of black earth south due to the increase of him blocky factions. Certainly, that the of long duration systematic use of the organic-mineral systems of fertilizer on black earth south positively influences on water resistance of soil, maintenance of general nitrogen and his factions. It is found out, that the most deep changes take place for the use of the mineral system of fertilizer. Certainly, that bringing of complete mineral fertilizer with the different norms of nitrogen improves the trophic mode of soil and promotes the indexes of tension of the Mineralization processes, and also productivity of crop rotation in middle on 10,5%, that represents the increase of effective fertility of black earth south. From investigational variants with application of the organic-mineral systems of fertilizer in South Steppe of Ukraine, most favorable not only after the level of the productivity but also after the coefficient of humification a variant appeared with the annual bringing of organic and mineral fertilizers.

Influence of the Internet on the Economic Growth of the Belt and Road Region

As a general technology, the Internet promotes economic growth in various forms. We apply a dynamic panel data approach to measure the impact of the Internet on the gross domestic product (GDP) using data from 65 countries in the Belt and Road Region during the period 1996–2014. The results show that the Internet has a positive and statistically significant effect on the economic growth. These effects strengthen along with the development of the Internet. Many factors such as capital, labor force, technology, industrial structure, international trade, and economic level are essential to explain the differences in the influence of the Internet on the economic growth among the Belt and Road countries. With R-type factor analysis, two factor components can summarize above indicators: one represents the level of economic development and the other represents the level of intensification of the economic development mode. According to the different national situations, the BRI countries must adopt various strategies to actively promote the development of their information industry, and jointly develop the “Digital Silk Road.”