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PURPOSE: Young adults with transversal upper limb reduction deficiency experience limitations regarding education, employment and obtaining a driver's license. Contribution of rehabilitation care within these domains has been reported to be inadequate. This study evaluates the needs and suggestions of participants in rehabilitation care.METHODS: Two online focus groups with young adults and parents met during 4 consecutive days. Health care professionals joined a face-to-face focus group. Data analysis was based on framework analysis.RESULTS: The rehabilitation team was mainly consulted for problems with residual limb or for prostheses. Young adults and their parents were mostly unaware of resources regarding education, job selection or obtaining a driver's license. Professionals stated that these subjects were addressed during periodic appointments. Young adults didn't always attend these appointments due to limited perceived benefit. To improve rehabilitation care, participants suggested methods for providing relevant information, facilitating peer contact and offering dedicated training programs to practice work-related tasks, prepare for job interviews or enhance self-confidence.CONCLUSION: Periodic appointments do not fulfil needs of young adults with transversal upper limb reduction deficiency. To improve care, rehabilitation teams should offer age-relevant information, share peer stories, and create dedicated training programs.

Horns are living tissue and cows can use their horns for thermoregulatory purposes. We investigated the effect of the presence of horns on the metabolome of milk serum and lipidome of milk fat, to assess the physiological effect of dehorning. Milk sampling took place at low ambient temperatures of −6 to 2°C. Horned and dehorned cows were kept in a mixed herd of Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss cows. The hypothesis was that horned cows needed to increase their metabolism to compensate for additional heat loss through the presence of their horns. No differences were observed in milk yield, milk solids, and somatic cell counts between horned and dehorned cows. For the milk metabolome, horned cows showed an upregulation of several glucogenic AA that could be transformed into glucose for energy supply and a downregulation of sugar intermediates and γ-glutamylcysteine compared with dehorned cows. The fatty acid (FA) composition in horned cows showed a shift toward decreased odd medium-chain FA (C7:0, C9:0, and C11:0) and increased cis-vaccenic acid (C18:1n-7 cis-11) and stearidonic acid (C18:4n-3). The changes in milk composition related to additional heat loss in horned cows indicate a competition in C3 metabolism for glucose synthesis and de novo FA synthesis under cold stress.

Natural particles are frequently applied in drinking water treatment processes in fixed bed reactors, fluidised bed reactors, and sedimentation processes to clarify water and to concentrate solids. When particles settle, it has been found that, in terms of hydraulics, natural particles behave differently when compared to perfectly round spheres. To estimate the terminal settling velocity of single solid particles in a liquid system, a comprehensive collection of equations is available. For perfectly round spheres, the settling velocity can be calculated quite accurately. However, for naturally polydisperse non-spherical particles, experimentally measured settling velocities of individual particles show considerable spread from the calculated average values. This work aims to analyse and explain the different causes of this spread. To this end, terminal settling experiments were conducted in a quiescent fluid with particles varying in density, size, and shape. For the settling experiments, opaque and transparent spherical polydisperse and monodisperse glass beads were selected. In this study, we also examined drinking-water-related particles, like calcite pellets and crushed calcite seeding material grains, which are both applied in drinking water softening. Polydisperse calcite pellets were sieved and separated to acquire more uniformly dispersed samples. In addition, a wide variety of grains with different densities, sizes, and shapes were investigated for their terminal settling velocity and behaviour. The derived drag coefficient was compared with well-known models such as the one of Brown and Lawler (2003). A sensitivity analysis showed that the spread is caused, to a lesser extent, by variations in fluid properties, measurement errors, and wall effects. Natural variations in specific particle density, path trajectory instabilities, and distinctive multi-particle settling behaviour caused a slightly larger degree of the spread. In contrast, a greater spread is caused by variations in particle size, shape, and orientation. In terms of robust process designs and adequate process optimisation for fluidisation and sedimentation of natural granules, it is therefore crucial to take into consideration the influence of the natural variations in the settling velocity when using predictive models of round spheres.

There is world-wide increasing interest in the consumption of unprocessed, natural food commodities including fresh (unpasteurised) milk and milk products. Consumers are actively seeking out raw milk, partly due to health reasons, but also for taste, freshness, closeness to the producer and to support local agriculture. The need for high levels of hygiene and safety in farms producing raw milk for direct consumption has long been recognised and has led to federal and industry-initiated systems for safe raw milk production. Raw milk producers in North America and Europe have demonstrated that raw milk, intended for direct consumption, can be produced safe and hygienic. The aim of this paper is to describe practices that have been developed for safe raw milk production. The German Vorzugsmilch is a federally regulated programme for legal raw milk production that was established already in the 1930s to provide raw milk with high hygienic standards controlled for zoonotic diseases to consumers. The Raw Milk Institute is a non-profit organisation established in California that has developed a voluntary safe raw milk programme in North America. RAWMI has developed a risk analysis and management system for raw milk dairy farmers to assist farmers in making individually tailored solutions for various production systems. In British Colombia, Canada, small herd share farms have employed good manufacturing practices, a risk management approach and performed monthly samples for pathogens and indicator bacteria to demonstrate safety and consistency. The major components of the raw milk systems applied, and the results of regular milk microbial indicator bacteria are presented. For the German system, the results from standard monthly pathogen tests are compared to zoonotic pathogen tests from other milk sources. The overall results indicate that raw milk can be produced with a high level of hygiene and safety in various systems.

The Hamamatsu R12199-02 3-inch photomultiplier tube is the photodetector chosen for the first phase of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope. About 7000 photomultipliers have been characterised for dark count rate, timing spread and spurious pulses. The quantum efficiency, the gain and the peak-to-valley ratio have also been measured for a sub-sample in order to determine parameter values needed as input to numerical simulations of the detector. © 2018 The Author(s).

People who use a lower limb prosthesis can fracture their distal femur after a trivial fall; however, this kind of fracture is uncommon.A 53-year-old woman with a trans-tibial prosthesis fell in her kitchen. She felt pain just above the socket of the prosthesis, was unable to get up and her knee and leg were swollen. Radiographic imaging showed a distal femur fracture, for which she received a non-operative treatment with a stump cast. In consultation with the rehabilitation physician she received a conventional lower limb prosthesis after consolidation of the fracture. She mobilised adequately and was able to resume her activities at home and at work.Distal femur fractures in patients with a lower limb prosthesis can be recognised through pain just above the socket of the prosthesis. Conservative treatment, including the use of a stump cast, followed by mobilisation with an adapted prosthesis under supervision of a rehabilitation physician often results in a good outcome in terms of functionality.

During transition to adulthood young adults with disabilities are at risk of experiencing limitations due to changing physical and social requirements.To determine whether young adults with transversal upper limb reduction deficiency (tULRD) have experienced limitations in various domains of participation during transition to adulthood and how they dealt with these limitations.Fifteen participants (mean age 21.4 years) with tULRD.A qualitative study was performed using a semi-structured interview based on the Rotterdam Transition Profile to identify the limitations experienced in participation domains.Almost all the participants reported difficulties in finding a suitable study or job. Most young adults were convinced they were suitable for almost any study or job, but their teachers and potential employers were more reserved. Few difficulties were reported on the domains leisure activities, intimate relationships/sexuality, housing/housekeeping and transportation. Participants preferred to develop their own strategies for dealing with limitations. Various aids, adaptations and prostheses were used to overcome limitations. Rehabilitation teams were infrequently consulted for advice in solving transitional problems.Young adults with tULRD experience limitations mainly in choosing and finding a suitable study or job. Rehabilitation teams may play a more extensive role in supporting individuals with transitional problems. Implications for rehabilitation Most young adults with transversal upper limb reduction deficiency (tULRD) experience limitations in study and job selection during transition to adulthood, but they do not consult the rehabilitation team. Assessment of abilities in relation to job interests and practicing job specific bimanual activities may be helpful for young adults with a tULRD. How the rehabilitation teams can meet the needs of young adults with tULRD during transitional phases, when autonomy is of growing importance, should be investigated further.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the character and the removal of natural organic matter (NOM) on the formation of assimilable organic carbon (AOC) and bromate during ozone disinfection. Natural waters from two locations with different dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations were tested. In addition, the DOC concentration of one of the natural waters was reduced either by ion exchange (IEX) or by granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration. The resulting four water types were tested in conventional pilot-scale ozone bubble column reactors and in a bench-scale plug flow reactor with dissolved ozone dosing. For the tested waters NOM fractions were determined with size exclusion chromatography using DOC and UVA254 detection. As expected, it was observed that for the same ozone dosages the CT is higher when NOM is removed by IEX or GAC compared to the situation without NOM removal. It is concluded that, for the waters tested, removal of the humic compounds with a molecular weight of approximately 1,000 g/mol by using IEX led to less AOC formation and less bromate formation as compared to the removal of humic compounds with a molecular weight of 300–500 g/mol by using GAC.

Organic farming principles give rise to multifunctionality: different activities are combined at farm level to create ecological and economic synergies. These principles do however allow for different operationalisations and different farm development strategies, for example with regard to the use of external inputs or the decision whether or not to use advanced breeding technologies such as artificial insemination. Maintaining and improving diversity are therefore characteristic to organic farming. Since organic farming took off in the early 1990 s, many specialised dairy farms which tend to be more mono-functional in nature, have converted to organic, adding a new farming strategy to the diverse collection of farming strategies in organic dairy farming. All these farming strategies actually create different organic production environments for cows, which might result in different demands on selective breeding and breeding technology. This differential demand was explored in a survey, among 151 organic dairy farmers, on general farm strategy, milk production, breeding goal, choice of breed and approach to reproduction. Farmers were divided into one of two groups on each of three strategic options: a) diversification in farm business—Specialised Dairy Farming vs. Multifunctional Farming; b) intensity of milk production—Low Input vs. High Input Farming and c) naturalness of breeding—Farming with Artificial Insemination vs. Farming with Natural Service. A pair-wise comparison within each strategic option showed that each pair differed significantly with regard to farm characteristics, farm goal and animal production goals. However, there were only minor or no significant differences within each pair with regard to overall breeding goal. For each strategic option, big differences were found within each pair as regards preferred cattle breeds and crossbreeds. Farmers in the Specialised Dairy Farming and High Input Farming groups preferred milk-type cattle (Holstein and Holstein crossbreeds), while farmers in the Multifunctional Farming and Low Input Farming groups preferred various native Dutch breeds. But even farmers with a similar strategy (within one group) differed strongly in their choice of breeds and crossbreeds. These results indicate that organic farmers are going through process of learning by doing, experimenting as they search for breeds or crossbreeds that are optimally suited to their farm environment and that best agree with their farm development strategy. In this, the growing preference for keeping bulls on the farm for natural service is remarkable.

Ozonation experiments (2.5–5 m 3 h −1 ) were performed by dosing dissolved ozone in a continuous flow pilot-scale contactor consisting of a pipe with plug flow reactor (PFR) characteristics. In the PFR ozone, E. coli , bromate and AOC concentrations were measured from 1.3 to 1,460 seconds retention time during ozonation of natural water. The experimental data were used to develop an integrated semi-empirical dynamic model describing the measured parameters for the initial phase ( t t >~20 seconds) of ozone decomposition. It was concluded that for the natural water tested E. coli inactivation was very fast, more than 4 log units after 5 seconds for ozone dosages higher than approximately 0.6 mg-O 3 l −1 . Further it was concluded that semi-empirical models are suited for modeling of ozone decomposition, disinfection, bromate and AOC formation in natural water.

The concentrations of dissolved ozone and assimilable organic carbon (AOC) are important performance parameters in drinking water production. For the measurement of ozone, a spectral algorithm was developed that allows quantification in situ using a UV/Vis spectrometer probe. Furthermore, a strong correlation between the change in the absorption spectrum after individual treatment steps and the formation or removal of AOC in that treatment step was observed. This allowed the development of a spectral algorithm that predicts AOC formation during ozonation and subsequent removal in further treatment steps. This method has been verified at one pilot plant of the Amsterdam drinking water supply.

Waternet (formerly Amsterdam Water Supply) has been seeking a sustainable scenario for producing drinking water and offering services that fulfill the requirements of clients and regulations, and, at the same time, maintains a sound environmental performance while keeping costs as low as possible. Presently, the company is in the process of evaluating alternatives for the treatment of water that cause the least financial and environmental impacts. The quantification of these impacts, for the current conditions, was carried out in earlier investigations. However, until now, the water quality aspect was not yet considered. In order to include this water quality aspect into the financial and environmental assessment, a quality function was constructed created by comparing water quality parameter values for a current and an alternative treatment process. Four qualifications were assigned to the sum of these scores: “Worse”, “Same”, “Better” and “Much better”. The qualifications allowed the comparison of the water quality and the financial and environmental impacts of the selected alternatives using a graphical representation of them. The method was applied focusing on the environmental and financial assessment of six alternative processes for the Loenderveen–Weesperkarspel treatment line, and including the quality aspect, as a third parameter for comparison.

Experimental research was carried out for calibration and validation of a model describing ozone decay and ozone exposure (CT), decrease in UV absorbance at 254 nm (UVA254), increase in assimilable organic carbon concentration and bromate formation. The model proved to be able to predict these parameters on the basis of the applied ozone dosage. The experimental ozone dosages ranged from 0.4 mg-O3/L to 0.9 mg-O3/L for natural water with a dissolved organic carbon concentration of 2.4 mg-C/L. The UVA254 was found to be an effective parameter for estimation of rapid ozone decay for natural water under experimental conditions tested. The experimental setup consisted of a bench-scale plug flow reactor (approximately 100 L/h) with dissolved ozone dosing.

International audience; The aims of this work were to elucidate the potential of using milk fatty acid (FA) concentration to predict cow diet composition and altitude of bulk milk collected in 10 different European countries and to authenticate cow-feeding systems and altitude of the production area using a data set of 1,248 bulk cow milk samples and associated farm records. The predictions based on FA for cow diet composition were excellent for the proportions of fresh herbage [coefficient of determination (R-2) = 0.81], good for hay, total herbage-derived forages, and total preserved forages (R-2 > 0.73), intermediate for corn silage and grass silage (R-2 > 0.62), and poor for concentrates (R-2 < 0.51) in the cow diet. Milk samples were assigned to groups according to feeding system, level of concentrate supplementation, and altitude origin. Milk FA composition successfully authenticated cow-feeding systems dominated by a main forage (>93% of samples correctly classified), but the presence of mixed diets reduced the discrimination. Altitude prediction reliability was intermediate (R-2

This paper aims to describe the changes prompted by conversion to organic farming for milk production and fertility of first parity Holstein cows. Data was collected for Dutch organic farms, with a distinction made between long-standing-organic farms, converted organic farms and a reference group of conventional farms. The percentage Holstein blood in the herds, milk production (kg milk, % milk fat, % milk protein), somatic cell scores (SCS), calving interval (CI) and age at first calving (AFC) were described over time. An animal model was used to estimate the effects of conversion on different traits based on data from converted organic farms. Milk production was lower and somatic cell counts were higher on long-standing-organic farms than on conventional and converted organic farms. Interestingly, at pre-organic farms, i.e. before their conversion, the milk production level was already lower than at conventional farms. The estimates from our statistical analysis showed a highly significant decrease in milk yield and protein percentage due to conversion. Also fat content decreased, SCS increased and AFC increased significantly. It can be concluded that the conversion to organic farming is a gradual process over years. Dutch farmers who decided during the late 1990s to convert to organic farming, represented a specific group of farmers distinct from conventional farmers, which was reflected by lower milk yields, milk fat percentage and protein percentage before conversion as compared to conventional farms. During conversion, significant changes in milk production, protein and fat contents and somatic cell scores took place. Age of first calving is an important difference between organic and conventional farming In dit artikel worden bij Holsteinkoeien veranderingen in melkproductie, celgetal, tussenkalftijd en leeftijd bij eerste keer kalveren beschreven na omschakeling naar biologische landbouw beschreven.

Bromate formation experiments were carried out in a 100 l/h bench-scale dissolved ozone plug flow reactor (DOPFR) with natural filtered water from the drinking water treatment plant Leiduin of Amsterdam Water Supply at gross ozone dosages of 0.7–3.4 mg/l. In the DOPFR, ozone is dosed by intensively mixing a dissolved ozone water flow (side stream) with a test water flow (mainstream). The side stream is pre-treated to remove bromide and DOC and to lower the pH. For full-scale application of the DOPFR concept, it is most cost effective to apply the smallest possible side stream. This research is done to establish the effect of decreasing the ratio of the dissolved ozone side stream to the mainstream from 1:10 to 1:25, by increasing the ozone concentration and decreasing the flow of the side stream. The results show that the dosing ratio has no influence on the bromate formation in the ozone dosing range of 0.7–1.4 mg/l. The gross ozone dosages that are currently applied at the drinking water treatment plant Leiduin are 0.8–1.0 mg/l. This means that for application of dissolved ozone dosing at Leiduin the amount of ozone that can be dissolved in the side stream will be the limiting factor for the minimal flow of the dissolved ozone side stream.

The silicon liner socket has been used in the trans-tibial prosthesis since the 1980s. Silicon liner sockets are sleeves of silicon material that are rolled onto the stump and fix the prosthesis to it. The producers of the liners propagate many advantages in their use i.e. better suspension of the prosthesis, protection of the stump skin and improved cosmetic appearance. This review was performed to find objective documentation in the literature in support of the advantages in prosthetic fitting and use of silicon liners. A medline search was performed with the key words: "silicon liner socket, Icelandic Roll On Silicon Socket (ICEROSS), trans-tibial prosthesis, lower leg prosthesis and stump sockets". Six articles remained after application of the selection criteria. In two studies clinical examination was done while in the rest questionnaires were used to collect data. T'he indication for amputation varied from vascular insufficiency, diabetes mellitus and infection to trauma. Most studies mentioned improved prosthetic suspension compared to the conventional supracondylar fitting. Also the walking performance improved with less use of walking aids. There were reports of positive but also negative effects on the skin such as excessive perspiration and itching. Patients had a general preference in prosthetic appearance in favour of the prosthesis with a silicon liner. Further research is needed with the use of objective clinical parameters and a homogenous study group objectively to find advantages in the use of the silicon liner socket in the trans-tibial prosthesis.

Plant height at cutting had a significant inverse effect on rumen organic matter digestibility (OMD), neutral detergent fibre degradability (NDFD) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). There was a positive linear correlation between IVDMD and both OMD and NDFD at 48–120 h. The fertilizer treatments did not yield any significant difference on OMD, NDFD or IVDMD. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd

The dry matter yield (DMY) of Napier grass was significantly affected by plant height at cutting, fertilizer application and their interaction. The highest yield, 12.34 t/ha, was from cutting at 1.0 m with 92 kg N kg/ha. Plant height at cutting had a significant positive effect on number of leaves per tiller and per plant. The internodes and internode length per tiller, the number of tillers per plant and basal circumference were positively affected by both plant height at cutting and fertilizer application, but the effect of leaf:stem ratio on DMY was negative. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd

A range inventory and condition study was conducted in three altitude zones: lowland (1500-1700m), medium altitude (1700-2000m), and highland (2000-2500m). Each altitude zone was stratified into four or five important grazing areas. One area represented lightly grazed government ranches or parks which were used as benchmarks, another area represented the seasonal grazing areas with an intermediate grazing pressure and the remaining were the heavily grazed roadsides, lakeshores and other communal grazing lands. The range condition assessment was based on the composition of the herbaceous layer, basal cover, litter cover, relative number of seedlings, age distribution of grasses, soil erosion and soil compaction. Dry matter was sampled in the mid-wet season to assess the relationship between available dry matter and range condition. A total of 36 grass species, 3 legume species, 2 sedge species, 15 other herbs and 31 species of trees were identified. The palatable Cenchrus ciliaris was dominant in the bench...

Introduction Pastoralists in eastern Ethiopia keep camels, cattle, goats, sheep and/or donkeys for their livelihood (Baars 2000). The livestock rely entirely on the natural rangeland for their nutrition. The conservation of this natural resource is hence extremely important, as it forms the basis and limits of pastoralist economy (Ahmed 1989). Degradation of the rangeland, defined as a reduction in the long-term productive capacity, results in a decrease in livestock production, which in turn affects the livelihood of pastoralists. Hence, proper management and conservation of the rangeland is essential. Rangeland degradation has taken place in eastern Ethiopia (Lulseged 1985; Survey 1992). This implies that rangelands have been exploited, without a corresponding conservation having been carried out. Scientists, administrators and pastoralists all put forward their own reasons and explanations for this state of affairs. In this paper we intend to analyse the perceptions of pastoralists towards rangeland degradation during the last twenty to thirty years. Our aim is firstly, to assess their awareness and opinions concerning rangeland degradation, secondly, to identify the reasons they give as to its causes and impacts, and finally, to set out their suggestions as to possible solutions to the problem. Their perceptions and analyses are, when required, supplemented by our own observations. Materials and Methods The study area This study was conducted in the Shinile Zone of the Somalia National Regional State, in eastern Ethiopia. Shinile Zone borders the Afar Region in the north, Djibouti in the north-east, and is hedged in by mountain fringes in the south and the west. The Zone has a human population of 354,053 of whom 85 percent live in rural areas (Census 1994). Pastoralism predominates, whereas cultivation is found in specific but small areas in a fringe along the highlands. The average annual rainfall ranges from about 250 mm in the northeast to 600 mm in the south, with a considerable variation between years (MOA 1982; see Map 1). The rainfall has a bimodal pattern, with slight rains from March to May and relatively heavier rains from July to September (MOA 1983). During the wet season the herds are found throughout the Zone in the plains, but during the dry season they graze mostly along the mountain fringes. The dominant soil types are fluvisols, lithosols and regosols (Survey 1992). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Survey design A one-visit structured questionnaire was used in September 1998 to elicit responses from among twenty-six randomly selected male pastoralists, with an average age of 51 years (range 40 to 80). Five areas were selected: two 10 to 45 km away from Shinile town (Shinile N=7 and Harmukaale N=6), the other three more than 60 km away from Shinile town (Harawa N=3, Aydora N=7, and Aysha N=3). Twenty-three respondents were nomads, who shift their households frequently; the remaining three were semi-sedentary pastoralists. Results Current rangeland conditions The availability of grass was said to range from nil to several tons per hectare, depending on the rainfall and location, but it was in general judged as inadequate (see Table 1). The most common forage species were the grasses Chrysopogon plumuloses and Lasiurus scindicus, and the herb Tribulus (Table 2). Trees were mainly found along watercourses and mountains, and were scarce elsewhere. The most common trees were Acacia spp. (A. tortilis, A. bussei and A. senegal/A hamulosa) and Cadaba mirabilis. The notorious weed Parthenium hysterophorus was mentioned by 23 percent of the respondents. Cacti were not mentioned as common, although they dominate in some areas. Although erosion in the wet season was reported, the Zone is not very susceptible to water erosion because of its plain character. Gully and stream bank erosion, as well as drain enlargement, were mentioned. …

PPEPP, a short multidisciplinary empowerment programme, improves quality of life for IPF patients and their partners http://ow.ly/zAbb3096waC

Grazing behaviour and diet selection of cattle were studied on a communally grazed floodplain and its adjacent wooded uplands in western Zambia to identify the interaction between basic herd management practices, foraging behaviour and body condition of cattle. On average, the cattle spent nine hours and 29 minutes (SD = 27 minutes) outside the kraal, with a range from about 8 hours in the dry season to almost 11 hours in the wet season, depending on the morning temperature and milking time. A significant (P

The range condition was assessed in six communal grazing areas and one Government ranch in both areas encroached by bushes or shrubs and non-encroached areas. In each area, three altitude zones were distinguished and in each altitude zone one transect, covering both encroached and non-encroached rangeland, away from water sources, was selected. The assessment was based on botanical composition of the herbaceous layer, basal cover, litter cover, relative number of seedlings, age distribution of grasses and soil condition. A total of 41 grasses, four legumes, three sedges and 28 tree and/or shrub species were identified. The grasses Aristida adscensionis, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri and Panicum coloratum were common or dominant in all sampled areas. Pennisetum mezianum and Pennisetum stramineum were typically found in the encroached vegetation. In general, the range condition was good. The encroached vegetation had a significantly lower score for range condition than the non-encroached vegetation for most of the parameters as well as for the total score, although the differences were small. Differences based on altitude and distance of sample sites from water sources within transects were not significant, except for the relative number of seedlings. No signs of overgrazing were detected. Resume On a evalue la condition des pâturages dans six zones communales et une zone gouvernementale, dans des regions envahies par des buissons et des arbustes et d'autres non envahies. Dans chacune, on a distingue trois altitudes et a chaque altitude, on a selectionne un transect qui couvre des parties envahies et d'autres non envahies, loin de toute source d'eau. On a base les evaluations sur la composition botanique de la strate herbacee, du couvert de base, de la litiere, du nombre relatif de jeunes pousses, de la distribution en classes d'âge des herbes et de l'etat du sol. On a identifie un total de 41 herbes, quatre legumineuses, trois carex et 28 especes d'arbres ou d'arbustes. Les plantes herbacees Aristida adscensionis, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri et Panicum coloratumetaient communes ou dominantes dans toutes les zones d'echantillonnage. On trouvait typiquement Pennisetum mezianum et Pennisetum stramineum dans la vegetation envahie. En general, l'etat des pâturages etait bon. La vegetation envahie avait une qualite generale significativement moins bonne que la vegetation non envahie, pour la plupart des parametres autant que pour le score total, mais les differences etaient faibles. Les differences entre les transects, basees sur l'altitude et sur la distance des sites par rapport a l'eau, n'etaient pas significatives sauf pour le nombre de jeunes pousses. On n'a detecte aucun signe de surpâturage.

Two questionnaire surveys (2×44) were conducted among pastoral households, using three grazing management systems. The average number of Tropical Livestock Units (250 kg) was 4.0 per member of the household. Milk production was the most important source of revenue (66% of the total) followed by sale of livestock (17%) and transport (16%). High mortality rates were recorded for all livestock. About 27% of the milk was sold fresh or as butter. Sedentary and transhumant grazing management systems showed similar levels of income, but nomads had a 2.6-fold higher overall net income. The average total gross income from the entire herd amounted to US$ 6382 per household per year. The calculated costs were 29% of the gross returns. The contribution to the total gross revenues of camels, cattle and small ruminants was 58%, 25% and 17%, respectively.

We report on spectrally resolved four-wave mixing experiments on ${\mathrm{In}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{s}/\mathrm{G}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{s}$ quantum wires for a wide range of lateral sizes. Due to the polarization dependence of the four-wave mixing signal, beats in the decay of the signal and an additional emission line in the four-wave mixing spectrum can be clearly attributed to biexcitons. We find that the biexciton binding energy depends on both the vertical and lateral dimensions of the wires. For quantum wires with a large vertical confinement we observe an enhancement of the binding energy of about 40% as compared to a two-dimensional reference sample whereas the biexciton binding energy is found to be wire width independent in wires with shallow vertical confinement.

We have studied the effects of thermal annealing on the localization of excitons in In 0.14Ga0.86As/GaAs multiple quantum wells by means of linear spectroscopy and time-integrated four-wave mixing. The localization occurs due to interface roughness resulting from well width fluctuations, respectively, alloy fluctuations on a length scale comparable to the exciton Bohr radius. Due to lateral inhomogeneities of the diffusion of In out of the quantum well and of Ga into the quantum well during the annealing, we observe a structural transition of the localization potential for annealing temperatures greater than 850 °C. This transition is characterized by the development of disorder on a length scale larger than the exciton Bohr radius. @S0163-1829~98!02512-0# I. INTRODUCTION The subject of disorder and localization has attracted considerable interest since the pioneering work of Anderson. 1 In quantum-well ~QW! systems, the localization is mainly caused by interface roughness. Variations in the well width of one or two monolayers will, in narrow QW’s, lead to differences in the exciton ( X) energy of several meV. Therefore the X’s can be localized in potential minima associated with regions of enhanced thickness on a length scale comparable to the Bohr radius. The common picture of localization in QW’s is based on the experimental work of Hegarty and co-workers 2‐4 on GaAs/AlxGa12xAs QW’s and was theoretically formulated by Takagahara. 5 It predicts that X’s in the energetic region below the center of the absorption line are localized by the interface roughness, while X’s above the line center are mobile. The center of the absorption line was therefore interpreted as a mobility edge for the X motion. 3,5

We have measured the nonlinear photoluminescence (PL) spectra of ${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{s}/\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$ quantum wells at low temperatures using a continuous wave technique that is based on low-power excitation and phase-locked detection. For nonresonant excitation we find a significant change of the emission energy and linewidth with increasing excitation intensity. We attribute the energy shift to the optical modulation of the internal electric fields that results in the modulation of the exciton energy via the quantum confined Stark effect, while the line broadening is due to the interaction of excitons with free carriers.

The question: ‘What do we see as a good landscape?’ should not only be answered by landscape ecologists and architects but also by the farmers themselves. The basic farming concept in biodynamic farming is referred to as managing the ‘farm individuality’ (or farm identity). Therefore, this concept can be used as an appropriate criterion for nature and landscape development on organic/biodynamic farms. Then the question arises: How can we use the concept of farm individuality in landscape planning? At least three problems have to be solved. First, we must have a method to describe the farm individuality. Secondly, the people who live and work on the farm are part of the farm individuality, so they should participate in the planning process. Thirdly, landscape is perceived as a dynamic system and individuality is also a dynamic concept. In this paper a scientific method is presented, designed for landscape development at farm level, based on the concept of farm individuality and a Goethean-phenomenological approach. This method, complementary to the usual scientific approach, is used to come to grips with the farm as ‘a whole’, as ‘an individuality’. The method can be characterised as a ‘bottom-up’ rather than a ‘top-down’ approach. It enables farmers to cooperate in landscape planning with all their ideas, feelings and future plans about their farm. The method will be illustrated on work recently done on a Dutch biodynamic farm, the ‘Noorderhoeve’. As identity is a recent overall goal for landscape management, as formulated by the Dutch government, the method is not only relevant to biodynamic farmers, but to conventional farmers as well.

Problems in the amputation stump occur frequently in lower limb amputees. These problems can range from skin defects to serious vascular insufficiency and have a major impact on the amputee's quality of life. We illustrate this with 2 patients aged 20 and 65. The first patient developed a Candida skin infection of the stump skin as a result of silicone liner use. She was successfully treated with miconazole/hydrocortisone and hygiene measures. The second patient developed progressive lower limb ischemia that resulted in a stump wound and claudication. He was treated with vascular surgery. Patients with stump problems should be referred to a rehabilitation physician for thorough examination of the stump in determining the cause of the symptoms and subsequent instalment of adequate treatment.

International audience; The aim of this study was to predict the fatty acid (FA) composition of bulk milk using data describing farming practices collected via on-farm surveys. The FA composition of 1,248 bulk cow milk samples and the related farming practices were collected from 20 experiments led in 10 different European countries at 44 degrees N to 60 degrees N latitude and sea level to 2,000 m altitude. Farming practice-based FA predictions [coefficient of determination (R-2) >0.50] were good for C16:0, C17:0, saturated FA, polyunsaturated FA, and odd-chain FA, and very good (R-2 >= 0.60) for trans-11 C18:1, trans-10 + trans-11 C18:1, cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, total trans FA, C18:3n-3, n-6:n-3 ratio, and branched-chain FA. Fatty acids were predicted by cow diet composition and by the altitude at which milk was produced, whereas animal-related factors (i.e., lactation stage, breed, milk yield, and proportion of primiparous cows in the herd) were not significant in any of the models. Proportion of fresh herbage in the cow diet was the main predictor, with the highest effect in almost all FA models. However, models built solely on conserved forage-derived samples gave good predictions for odd-chain FA, branched-chain FA, trans-10 C18:1 and C18:3n-3 (R-2 >= 0.46, 0.54, 0.52, and 0.70, respectively). These prediction models could offer farmers a valuable tool to help improve the nutritional quality of the milk they produce.

Low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) has been studied in several III-V single-quantum-well (SQW) samples. We have observed shifts of the PL peak energy as a function of the excitation intensity which, we show, are due to the quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE) caused by the internal electric field at the surface and/or heterointerfaces in the samples. The experimentally measured PL peak shifts in ${\mathrm{In}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As/GaAs and ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As/GaAs SQW's are compared with calculations based on the QCSE and excellent agreement is found. The magnitude of the internal field determined from the PL analysis coincides with the value for the electric field obtained from photoreflectance measurements on the same samples, at the same temperatures. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

A 34-year-old patient underwent a knee exarticulation amputation and developed symptoms of pain, redness and swelling of the stump in combination with a feeling of tightness in the chest. These symptoms were first attributed to muscle pain and exertion but further examination revealed deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the stump and a pulmonary embolism for which he was treated with nadroparine and acenocoumarol. Shortly after treatment he could resume the use of the prosthesis. A DVT in the amputation stump is not frequently encountered, but is a serious complication that can, together with a pulmonary embolism, be life threatening. The literature mentions an incidence ranging from 0-12%. Physical examination is often not conclusive and further examination of the patient with duplex scanning is necessary, with a ventilation-perfusion scan if a pulmonary embolism is suspected. Patients with a lower extremity amputation have a higher risk of developing a DVT because of immobility and increased venous pooling in the residual limb. Symptoms of a red, swollen, warm and painful stump should trigger the physician to suspect a DVT.

This study aimed to evaluate whether immunological parameters in milk and the impedance at 6 acupuncture points (APs) were related to herd health: good versus poor. The study used a purposively selected sample of 10 herds and in each herd 15 to 18 animals were observed. Statistical models at animal level included a random herd effect, with age and days in milk as covariates. The capacity for immune response was estimated through in vitro proliferation counts in medium, LPS, and ConA. At the right and left bladder meridians we measured impedance at 3 APs related to disease resistance. The energy balance at the onset of lactation and other parameters confirmed the classification in good and poor health herds. The immunological parameters in milk were not significantly related to health status, but LPS values of two herds with the apparent poorest health were consistently lower. The good health herds showed significantly lower impedance at all APs. Impedance values at APs correlated negatively with counts of LPS, indicating that good health animals had consistently higher counts of macrophages, i.e. better innate disease resistance. To confirm prospects of the parameters, we recommend repeating the study with a larger randomly selected sample.

Currently, most organic dairy farmers in the Netherlands use conventional breeding methods and production stock. In view of the organic objective of closed chains, organic dairy farmers discussed in workshops the desirability and practical merits of different possible scenarios for realizing breeding programmes that are more in line with organic farming principles. Generally, farmers concluded that there is a need for organic breeding practices to support the sector's credibility towards consumers and society. The first step in developing organic breeding practices is to ban the indirect use of artificial embryo reproduction technologies, but there was no consensus on which selection strategies best fit organic principles. Most organic farmers preferred to uphold the familiar breeding structure of index selection and artificial insemination. Since the scale of organic farming remains small, a distinct breeding structure for organic farming will be difficult to achieve. Customizing conventional breeding values and an international co-operation between breeding programmes may be (temporary) solutions. In organic farming, farm-based regional breeding strategies based on kin-breeding may be more appropriate but farmers lack knowledge of these practices. Also decision-makers need more knowledge on the influence of the (yet not quantified) genotype × environment interaction on the estimation of breeding values for sires when considering organic and conventional farming as different environments. Substantial genotype × environment interaction would support selection under conditions representative for organic environments. It was concluded that realizing distinct organic breeding practices will take time and will require institutional changes.

We have developed a new technique of modulated photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. We show that the signal detected at twice the modulation frequency of the exciting light contains information about the non-linear processes similar to photo-modulated PL experiments. We attribute this non-linear PL signal to the optical modulation of the internal electric field of the quantum well (QW) samples. The method allows the separation of overlapping PL emission lines and provides the emission parameters of the separated lines, even when the PL spectrum itself appears to be featureless.

Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach.) was studied using a 5 x 3 factorial experiment arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replications. The treatments were five fertiliser applications (0kg ha-1 N, 46kg ha-1 N and 92kg ha-1 N, 1t ha-1 and 2t ha-1 cattle manure) and three plant heights at cutting (0.5m, 1m and 1.5m). The mean dry matter (DM) yield was 8.21t ha-1 per cut but increased when the plant height at cutting increased and when the level of N fertilisation increased (P

The biexciton states in ${\mathrm{In}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$ quantum wells of varying widths have been studied by spectrally resolved and time-integrated four-wave mixing in magnetic fields up to $B=8 \mathrm{T}.$ Surprisingly, the biexciton binding energy is found to be independent of the field strength. These results challenge theoretical descriptions of the biexciton wave function. Furthermore, the polarization selection rules for the biexcitonic contributions to the four-wave mixing are left unchanged by B, in contrast to the excitonic signal.

Low-dimensional semiconductor structures have attracted strong attention during the past two decades [1]. These developments were driven both by the expectation of novel physical phenomena in these structures and by their large application potential. While for quantum wells a detailed understanding of the electronic properties has already been obtained, for quantum wires and quantum dots there is still a considerable lack of knowledge.

In0.135Ga0.865As/GaAs quantum wires with widely varying widths down to 29 nm have been studied by degenerate four-wave mixing. The exciton binding energy EB in the wires has been determined by quantum beat spectroscopy. We find an increase of EB with decreasing wire width, giving clear evidence for the lateral confinement of the excitons in the wire structures. Further, the exciton dephasing kinetics due to exciton-phonon and exciton-exciton scattering is studied. For both dephasing mechanisms we find an increase of the scattering rates with decreasing wire width. For the exciton-phonon scattering the increase is rather weak, while for the exciton-exciton scattering a drastic increase of the scattering rate is observed.

Organic agriculture is increasingly of interest. The first organic farm in the Netherlands was established 70 years ago. Since then, the practice of this type of agriculture has grown. Although still relatively small scale, organic farming has a potential that is recognized in practice, in agricultural policies, and by the public.