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Grazing intensity in integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) can affect soil aggregation and C stabilization and, consequently, the soil condition and agricultural sustainability. This study evaluate the influence of 13 years of different grazing intensities on (i) soil aggregation, (ii) C content in different aggregate size, and (iii) C and N content in different fractions of soil organic matter (SOM), in a no-tilled with integrated soybean-beef production system on a subtropical Oxisol. Treatments consisted of four steers grazing intensities defined by sward height of 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm on mixed black oat and Italian ryegrass pasture in the winter under continuous stocking, plus an ungrazed treatment, in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Soil aggregation was not affected by grazing intensities. There was no effect of the grazing intensities on organic C content in all aggregate-size fractions and in all soil layers evaluated, being lower in microaggregates than in large and small macroaggregates. The macroaggregates were predominant, representing 97% of the soil mass, of which 74% were large macroaggregates (>2 mm). The high macroaggregates stability contributed to the lack of difference in the C and N content on free light fraction and the light occlusal fraction of SOM. Most of C and N were observed heavy fraction of SOM (53–68%), with greater stock in the no grazing compared to the grazed treatments. Even with the animal trampling in the grazed systems, the soil maintained high stability of aggregates and consequently the labile forms of SOM.

The authors would like to make the following correction to the published paper [...]

Animal grazing in integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) results in continuous nutrient release to forage plants and crops in succession. This study aimed to assess sheep dung composition and decomposition rates under distinct grazing intensities and at different development stages of Italian ryegrass pasture (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and to evaluate dung phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) release dynamics during two annual ICLS cycles (2015 and 2016) in southern Brazil. Treatments consisted of two grazing intensities (moderate and light) and two pasture development stages (vegetative and post-flowering), arranged in a randomized complete block design with split-split-plots and four replicates. Dry matter (DM) decomposition and P and K release rates were determined using litter bags with sheep dung. Grazing intensity did not affect sheep dung composition. Forage consumed at different development stages altered sheep dung composition, decomposition, and P and K release rates. Dung sampled at pasture vegetative stage showed P and K contents 16% and 7% higher, respectively, than dung from the post-flowering stage. Dung collected at pasture post-flowering stage had 26% more cellulose and 34% more hemicellulose compared to dung from the vegetative stage in 2016. P and K release was greater for dung from pasture vegetative stage, reaching 3.7 and 12.9 kg ha−1 of P and K, respectively. Further evaluations are still needed considering the quantification and release of nutrients in each of the different compartments (pasture, urine, and dung residues) that compose the system.

Integrated annual methane fluxes measured from 1994 to 1996 at sites representing specific tundra vegetation and land cover types were weighted areally using a vegetation map [Auerbach et al., 1997] for the Kuparuk River basin and subareas. Wetland and open water CH4 emissions dominate the Kuparuk River basin emission estimate. Areal weighting of site fluxes resulted in a regional CH4 emission estimate of 2.09 x 1010 g CH4 yr-1 for the Kuparuk River basin. The global CH4 emission obtained by extending areally weighted annual fluxes from this study to global tundra area (7.34 x 1012 m2) is 5.83 Tg CH4 yr-1. This is about 15% of the Fung et al. [1991] atmospheric tracer model estimate and indicates that the vegetation distribution of the Kuparuk River Basin is not typical of the entire Arctic. Reconciling results from atmospheric tracer model estimates and areally weighted field flux measurements will require accurate high-resolution circumpolar estimates of wetland and open water areas and fluxes. Copyright 1998 by the American Geophysical Union.

Energy is critical for assuring quality of life and underpins the attainment of the internationally agreed United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development. Countries from the Central Asia region, specifically Kazakhstan, will by 2050 need to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels from over 80% to around 50% in order for them to achieve significant negative carbon emissions thus abide by agreed international limits. However, Kazakhstan lacks the capacity to undertake such a transition alone. International support from major nations and organisations would play a vital role in energy transition of Kazakhstan. By using policy documents on renewable energy projects and databases on auction-based energy projects over the last ten years, this article aims to analyse the existing international cooperation in sustainable energy between Kazakhstan and China, as well as with United Nations. The article argues that China and the United Nations play unique and critical roles in supporting sustainable energy security in Kazakhstan. The former as a “helper” of energy transition and exporter of technologies, techniques and capital to Kazakhstan provides support through business know-how and, most importantly, investments. The latter brings together international partners for capacity building through policy support and consulting of government. Both are essential in forming an equitable sustainable energy paradigm through iENERGY model (interconnectivity, interplay, intelligent) to achieve the respective climate and energy targets. A further deepening of ties through iENERGY model could serve as an international standard and example of cooperation in energy transition and it could bring long-term prosperity in sustainable economic growth, political stability, and energy security for Central Asian region and China.

Background / Aim: Metformin is widely used in type 2 diabetes and exhibits many positive biological effects on pancreatic b-cells and muscle cells, such as supporting insulin release by b-cells and glucose uptake by muscle cells and reducing oxidative stress, particularly due to diabetes-associated hyperglycaemia. Interestingly, for type 1 diabetes, transplantation of healthy b-cells has been proposed as a novel way to replace insulin therapy. Recently, bile acid-formulations containing transplantable b-cells showed best stability. Hence, this study aimed to explore the effects of metformin-bile acid formulations in b-cell encapsulation and on the biological activities of b-cells and muscle-cells. Methods: Two sets of biological effects were examined, using metformin-bile acid formulations, on encapsulated b-cells and on muscle cells exposed to the formulations. Results: Various encapsulated b-cell formulations' cell viability, insulin levels, cellular oxidative stress, cellular inflammatory profile and bioenergetics at the normoand hyperglycaemic states showed differing results based upon the metformin concentration and the inclusion or absence of bile acid. Similar effects were observed with muscle cells. Low ratios of metformin and bile acids showed best biological effects, suggesting a formulation dependent result. The formulations' positive effects were more profound at the hyperglycaemic state suggesting efficient cell protective effects. Conclusion: Overall, metformin had positive impacts on the cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with the addition of chenodeoxycholic acid further improving results.

This research note highlights the rapid development and implementation of sustainable energy policy and its effects on Territorial Autonomies. It explores current and potential future developments on the Åland Islands off the south-west coast of Finland, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. Findings suggest that Territorial Autonomies would benefit from a more comprehensive sub-regional approach to global energy sustainability and carbon neutrality.

We are developing technologies in processing and metrology to fabricate a 1.4-meter aperture, aspherical surface Aluminium prototype mirror for Cherenkov Telescope Array. The aim is to fast process these large aperture mirrors at low cost. The technical development will ensure the high specifications on the surface quality. Different metrology methods including Swinging Arm Profilometry (SAP) and phase measuring deflectomtry (PMD) are being developed. Recent results have shown very promising progress on these developments. We have excellent record in transferring our research results into industry. These cutting-edge technologies will be transferred to our industry partner to explore further developments.

The health status of 48 survivors of cancer was assessed using a rating system for six attributes: senses, mobility, emotion, cognition, self care, and pain. Paired assessments were made by doctors and patients (or their parents, or both) at routine clinic attendances. Sixteen (33%) assessments by the patient/parent and 19 (40%) assessments by the doctor identified no deficits in health status. The doctors identified fewer deficits in all attributes than the patients/parents, the differences being most marked for subjective attributes. Health status index scores on a scale of 0 (worst health state) to 1 (perfect health) were derived from the rating system and showed good overall agreement between the doctors and the patients/parents. Survivors of neuroaxial tumours tended to have lower scores than other diagnostic groups. This simple, compact system could be used in clinical trials to compare treatment strategies in terms of the health status of survivors. It could also be a valuable tool in the assessment of health status in other areas of paediatrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the differentiation between machine’s static and dynamic footprint (FP). The results have shown progressing footprint variation related to tool’s tilt angle. Continuous tilt angle compensation has been applied to offset this effect.

In order to improve the knowledge and skills of midwives at health facilities and those based in villages in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, three in-service training programmes were carried out during 1995-98. A scheme used for both facility and village midwives included training at training centres, peer review and continuing education. One restricted to village midwives involved an internship programme in district hospitals. The incremental cost-effectiveness of these programmes was assessed from the standpoint of the health care provider. It was estimated that the first scheme could be expanded to increase the number of competent midwives based in facilities and villages in South Kalimantan by 1% at incremental costs of US$ 764.6 and US$ 1175.7 respectively, and that replication beyond South Kalimantan could increase the number of competent midwives based in facilities and villages by 1% at incremental costs of US$ 1225.5 and US$ 1786.4 per midwife respectively. It was also estimated that the number of competent village midwives could be increased by 1% at an incremental cost of US$ 898.1 per intern if replicated elsewhere, and at a cost of US$ 146.2 per intern for expanding the scheme in South Kalimantan. It was not clear whether the training programmes were more or less cost-effective than other safe motherhood interventions because the nature of the outcome measures hindered comparison.

O trabalho descreve um inquérito sorológico para rickettsioses em escolares e cães de Novo Cruzeiro, Minas Gerais, Brasil, em 1998. Trezentos e trinta e um escolares pertenciam a uma área endêmica e 142 a uma área não endêmica do município. Trinta e nove (10,1%) soros foram reativos à Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) para Rickettsia rickettsiino título de 1:64, sendo que dentre esses reativos, 35 eram de estudantes de escolas de área endêmica. Dentre os 73 cães analisados quanto à presença de anticorpos anti R. rickettsii, anti Ehrlichia chaffeensise anti Ehrlichia canisà RIFI no título de 1:64, 3 (4,11%), 11 (15,07%) e 13 (17,81%) desses animais foram reativos respectivamente aos antígenos testados. Conclui-se que, a sororeatividade para R. rickettsiiem indivíduos sadios sem história prévia de febre maculosa brasileira, uma doença marcante por sua alta letalidade, e a presença de sororeatividade para Ehrlichiacom potencial patogênico para o homem em cães, nos leva a indagar sobre a transmissão ao homem de outras espécies da família Rickettsiae na área estudada.

We report cases of spotted fever rickettsiosis in Coronel Fabriciano Municipality of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The cases occurred in May and June of 2000. During this period there were two deaths among children from an area named Pedreira in a periurban area of this municipality. In a boy who died with clinical manifestations of Brazilian spotted fever, a necropsy revealed the presence of a spotted fever group Rickettsia. The serological results confirm the difficulty in the differential diagnosis of patients with symptoms of rickettsial diseases.