scholarly journals Carbon footprint of fertilizer imports to the East African Bloc and policy recommendations for decarbonization

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Stella Kabiri
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Calcium Nitrate ◽  
Freight Transportation ◽  
Synthesis Process ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
East African ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Link Type ◽  
N Fertilizers ◽  
Almost All

Background: Almost all nitrogenous (N) fertilizers are fixed on an enormous scale using the Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis process via a reaction of Nitrogen with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. This process is a leading global polluter, emitting 830 megatons of CO2 to the atmosphere annually. On the other hand, the global transport sector emits 7.5 gigatons of CO2 yet the fraction of emissions from freight transportation of N fertilizers from exporting countries to the East African (EA) Bloc is not known. This study examined the carbon footprint from freight transportation of N fertilizers. The findings are useful in the regions’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs) as per the Paris Agreement of December 2015 regarding downsizing emissions from the transport sector. Methods: The study area included five EA Community (EAC) countries namely, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Statistics of fertilizers were obtained from https://africafertilizer.org/. The carbon footprint calculator (CFC) for fertilizer production (obtained from https://www.fertilizerseurope.com/), certified by the Carbon Trust Standard, was used. Results: Over 93% of fertilizers imported to the EA Bloc are N fertilizers, leaving a carbon footprint of 4.9 megatons CO2-eq. Of these emissions, 1.1 megatons CO2-eq were contributed by imports from Saudi Arabia and 0.8 megatons CO2-eq from China. The ‘dirtiest’ of N fertilizers that accounted for the highest carbon footprint on the EA bloc were urea ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, nitrophosphates and ammonium sulphate. Conclusions: Every metric ton of N imported results in a carbon footprint of 4.5 metric tons CO2-eq. The Ammonia production process of exporting countries, freight distance, choice and number of N fertilizers imported are significant determinants of greenhouse gas emissions to East Africa’s NDCs. To reach net-zero emissions the EA community needs to invest in new processes, circular economy and decarbonization pathways.

In vitro effectiveness of biapenem against IMP-producing Enterobacteriaceae

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuyoshi Gotoh ◽  
Makoto Miyoshi ◽  
I Putu Bayu Mayura ◽  
Koji Iio ◽  
Osamu Matsushita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Small Data ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Almost All ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Time Kill

The options available for treating infections with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are limited; with the increasing threat of these infections, new treatments are urgently needed. Biapenem (BIPM) is a carbapenem, and limited data confirming its in vitro killing effect against CPE are available. In this study, we examined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of BIPM for 14 IMP-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from the Okayama region in Japan. The MICs against almost all the isolates were lower than 0.5 µg ml−1, indicating susceptibility to BIPM, while approximately half of the isolates were confirmed to be bacteriostatic to BIPM. However, initial killing to a 99.9 % reduction was observed in seven out of eight strains in a time–kill assay. Despite the small data set, we concluded that the in vitro efficacy of BIPM suggests that the drug could be a new therapeutic option against infection with IMP-producing CPE.

New workflow for classification of genetic variants’ pathogenicity applied to hereditary recurrent fevers by the International Study Group for Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases (INSAID)

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 530-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marielle E Van Gijn ◽  
Isabella Ceccherini ◽  
Yael Shinar ◽  
Ellen C Carbo ◽  
Mariska Slofstra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
International Study ◽  
Biological Drugs ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Mutational Hotspots ◽  
Almost All

BackgroundHereditary recurrent fevers (HRFs) are rare inflammatory diseases sharing similar clinical symptoms and effectively treated with anti-inflammatory biological drugs. Accurate diagnosis of HRF relies heavily on genetic testing.ObjectivesThis study aimed to obtain an experts’ consensus on the clinical significance of gene variants in four well-known HRF genes: MEFV, TNFRSF1A, NLRP3 and MVK.MethodsWe configured a MOLGENIS web platform to share and analyse pathogenicity classifications of the variants and to manage a consensus-based classification process. Four experts in HRF genetics submitted independent classifications of 858 variants. Classifications were driven to consensus by recruiting four more expert opinions and by targeting discordant classifications in five iterative rounds.ResultsConsensus classification was reached for 804/858 variants (94%). None of the unsolved variants (6%) remained with opposite classifications (eg, pathogenic vs benign). New mutational hotspots were found in all genes. We noted a lower pathogenic variant load and a higher fraction of variants with unknown or unsolved clinical significance in the MEFV gene.ConclusionApplying a consensus-driven process on the pathogenicity assessment of experts yielded rapid classification of almost all variants of four HRF genes. The high-throughput database will profoundly assist clinicians and geneticists in the diagnosis of HRFs. The configured MOLGENIS platform and consensus evolution protocol are usable for assembly of other variant pathogenicity databases. The MOLGENIS software is available for reuse at http://github.com/molgenis/molgenis; the specific HRF configuration is available at http://molgenis.org/said/. The HRF pathogenicity classifications will be published on the INFEVERS database at https://fmf.igh.cnrs.fr/ISSAID/infevers/.

scholarly journals Monte Carlo sampling processes and incentive compatible allocations in large economies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Hammond ◽  
Lei Qiao ◽  
Yeneng Sun
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Incentive Compatibility ◽  
Random Variables ◽  
Almost Sure Convergence ◽  
Econ Theory ◽  
Monte Carlo Sampling ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Stochastic Framework ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Monte Carlo simulation is used in Hammond and Sun (Econ Theory 36:303–325, 2008. 10.1007/s00199-007-0279-7) to characterize a standard stochastic framework involving a continuum of random variables that are conditionally independent given macro shocks. This paper presents some general properties of such Monte Carlo sampling processes, including their one-way Fubini extension and regular conditional independence. In addition to the almost sure convergence of Monte Carlo simulation considered in Hammond and Sun (2008), here we also consider norm convergence when the random variables are square integrable. This leads to a necessary and sufficient condition for the classical law of large numbers to hold in a general Hilbert space. Applying this analysis to large economies with asymmetric information shows that the conflict between incentive compatibility and Pareto efficiency is resolved asymptotically for almost all sampling economies, following some similar results in McLean and Postlewaite (Econometrica 70:2421–2453, 2002) and Sun and Yannelis (J Econ Theory 134:175–194, 2007. 10.1016/j.jet.2006.03.001).

scholarly journals   Slow release and conventional N fertilizers for nutrition of bell pepper

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Stagnari ◽  
M. Pisante
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Slow Release ◽  
Calcium Nitrate ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Bell Pepper ◽  
Pot Experiment ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Mineral Concentration ◽  
N Nutrition ◽  
N Fertilizers

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) high-quality and yield implies the management of N nutrition. Field and pot experiments with bell pepper and Italian ryegrass were carried out during 2009 and 2010. The experimental design included three N delaying fertilizers (Sulfammo Meta 46-5-0, controlled-release fertilizer; Nitrophoska Gold 15-9-15, slow-release fertilizer; Entec 26 26-0-0, stabilized fertilizer), two conventional N fertilizers, urea and calcium nitrate and one N-unfertilized control. The fertilizer’s rate was 150 kg N/ha. A pot experiment with bell pepper followed by ryegrass with the same fertilizers treatments was carried out in 2009. Dry matter (DM) yield, plant N concentration, plant N recovery and fruit mineral concentration were measured. Calcium nitrate and urea produced statistically higher DM in both field and pots. Sulfammo Meta produced always lower yields. In the field plants recovered a minimum of 18% and a maximum of 82% of the N applied, respectively, in Sulfammo Meta and calcium nitrate. In the pot experiment, bell pepper + ryegrass recovered only 32.5% of N applied with Sulfammo Meta and nearly 100% of N applied in the other fertilized pots. None of the slow-release N materials provided clear advantages over conventional fertilizers to be used in this crop.  

The Development and Application of Kinematic Icon and Inactive-Joint Concepts in Automated Mechanism Sketching

1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Wu ◽  
A. P. Pisano
Keyword(s):  
Graphical Representation ◽  
Synthesis Process ◽  
Kinematic Structure ◽  
Separate Entity ◽  
Type Synthesis ◽  
Graphical Displays ◽  
Link Type ◽  
First Time ◽  
Kinematic Joint

An important step within the automated type synthesis process is the generation of graphical displays of proposed mechanisms which permit designers to visualize the candidates. In this paper, the concepts of kinematic icon and inactive joint have been developed and applied to the problem of automatically generating sketches of mechanisms, given only the kinematic structure. Each different link type is treated as a separate entity: an icon, with its own predefined graphical representation. Moving-link icons, (as opposed to icons of fixed links) have special properties defined according to the joint types on the adjacent links. The locations, sizes, and orientations of the icons depend on the locations of the joints whose coordintaes may be directly assigned (in simple cases) using joint placement procedures. However, because the icons are defined by assigning a specific graphical representation to groupings of joints, and not just single joint, not all joints can be directly assigned their coordinates and this other class of kinematic joint is defined as an inactive joint. The kinematic icon and inactive joint concepts make possible the sketching of mechanisms with more complicated joint types such as prismatics and gears, for the first time in a systematic manner.

scholarly journals Freshwater diatoms in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a historical overview of the research and publications

PhytoKeys ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 136 ◽  
pp. 107-125
Author(s):  
Christine Cocquyt ◽  
Edit Lokele Ndjombo ◽  
Simon Tutu Tsamemba ◽  
Hippolyte Nshimba Seya wa Malale
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
East African ◽  
Dr Congo ◽  
African Lakes ◽  
Freshwater Diatoms ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Almost All ◽  
East African Lakes ◽  
Local Research

An overview of the diatom research in the DR Congo is given based on literature data starting in 1938 with the work of Zanon and excluding the East African Lakes as these were already discussed in previous papers. For each literature record the diatom genera mentioned are presented as well as all diatom taxa described from the Congo as new. In total, 106 new taxa were documented, of which Nitzschia with 40 taxa is far the most important genus followed by Navicula s.l. and Pinnularia and with 15 and 13 taxa respectively. Particular attention was paid to the local research of students found in unpublished theses at bachelor, licentiate, master and PhD level. Diatom records in these works are almost all restricted to genus level, although in the last decade an attempt to delimit species can be observed. This accompanies the renewed taxonomic interest in the Congo basin during the last decade. Renewed taxonomic interest can also be seen in the genera: the first period being situated during the lumping period, while more recent works follow the current taxonomic classification, for example Navicula s.l. versus Navicula, Cavinula, Craticula, Diadesmis, Geissleria, Humidophila, Luticola, etc.

scholarly journals THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF UTENDI WA MWANA KUPONA: A SWAHILI/ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 60-72
Author(s):  
Rayya Timammy ◽  
Amir Swaleh
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Arabic Language ◽  
East African ◽  
East African Coast ◽  
Islamic Perspective ◽  
Verse Form ◽  
Eighteenth And Nineteenth Centuries ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Almost All

This paper has the objective to make a thematic analysis of a classic poem Utendi wa Mwana Kupona using a Swahili/Islamic approach. The poem is believed to have been written by Mwana Kupona binti Mshamu in 1858. The poem is intended to be a motherly advice to her daughter about her religious and marital duties in a Swahili society.As a background to this paper, it was found out that Swahili culture has been greatly influenced by Islam. Ever since Arab, Persian, Indian and other merchants from Asia and the Middle East visited the East African coast to trade or settle, the Waswahili people embraced Islam. The Islamic religion influenced Swahili culture greatly. One of the more direct influences was the adoption of the Arabic script which the Swahili used to write their poetry and used it for other communication.The Arabic language had a lot of impact on the Kiswahili language, enriching it with new vocabulary, and especially religious and literary terminology. This is why a majority of the Waswahili are Muslims; hence Islam is an attribute accompanying the definition of ‘Mswahili’. A modest estimate would put words borrowed from the Arabic language into the Kiswahili language at between twenty to thirty percent.The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw a rapid development of written Kiswahili literature, especially in verse form. The majority or almost all of the poets of the time were very religious or very knowledgeable about Islam. This is the reason most poems of the time were pervaded by Islamic religious themes or other themes but definitely using an Islamic perspective. Utendi wa Mwana Kupona is one such verse. It is a mother’s advice to her daughter about her duties and obligations towards God, and specifically, towards a husband.

scholarly journals Studies of the influences of different N fertilizers and Microbion UNC bacterial fertilizer on the nutrient content of soil

2010 ◽  
pp. 134-140
Author(s):  
Andrea Balla Kovács ◽  
Anita Szabó ◽  
Emese Bartáné Szabó
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Calcium Nitrate ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Total N ◽  
N Fertilizers ◽  
Soil Measurements

A field experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different nitrogen fertilizers in combination with bacterial fertilizer onnutrient uptake of horseradish and plant available nutrients of the soil. Three different N fertilizers, ammonium-nitrate, urea and calciumnitrate(116 kg ha-1 N) in combination with Microbion UNC bacterial fertilizer (2 kg ha-1) were applied as treatments in a randomizedcomplete block design in three replications. In this paper we presented the results of soil measurements. The soil of the experimental areawas chernozem with medium sufficiency level of N and P and poor level of K.Our main results:The amount of 0.01M CaCl2 soluble inorganic nitrogen fractions, NO3--N and NH4+-N and also the quantity of soluble organic-N werealmost the same in the soil. N fertilizers significantly increased all the soluble N fractions. The amount of NO3--N increased to the greatestextent and the increase of organic N was the slightest. We measured the largest CaCl2 soluble NO3- -N and total-N contents in the plotstreated with ammonium-nitrate, the largest NH4+-N in the plots treated with calcium-nitrate and the largest organic-N fraction in plotstreated with urea.Bacterial inoculation also increased both soluble inorganic nitrogen forms and also total-N content of soil compared to the control. Inthe case of combined (artificial and bacterial fertilizer) treatments we measured lower NO3--N, organic-N and total-N compared to thevalues of plots having only nitrogen fertilizer treatments. On the contrary in the plots with combined treatments the CaCl2 soluble NH4+-Ncontent of soil in more cases were higher than that of values with artificial fertilizer treatment.As a function of calcium-nitrate application increased AL-P2O5 and AL-K2O values were measured compared to control. MicrobionUNC supplement of calcium nitrate yielded also increase in AL-P2O5 and AL-K2O values, till then supplement of ammonium-nitrate fertilizeryielded a decrease in these values compared to the control.All nitrogen fertilizers resulted in a significant decrease in AL-Mg content of soil compared to the control. Nevertheless bacterialfertilizer increased AL-Mg values in any cases.

scholarly journals Transport in times of an epidemic: public transport measures in the Czech Republic and its regions

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-78
Author(s):  
Martin Vrána ◽  
Simona Surmařová ◽  
Petr Hlisnikovský ◽  
Jiří Dujka
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Almost All

Abstract In the first half of 2020, the global pandemic of the COVID-19 virus became a phenomenon affecting all spheres of human life. Measures against the spread of the virus have led to restrictions in life in public spaces and have also affected the transport sector. These impacts consisted of two types - firstly, the number of connections was reduced due to a drop in transport demand, and secondly, it was necessary to comply with hygiene measures on the part of carriers and passengers. The impacts of these measures could be monitored at all spatial levels, from global to local. This paper deals with the course of the so-called first wave of the pandemic in the Czech Republic in relation to public transport and its organization. The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of these measures in relation to general government regulations and their subsequent implementation at the national, regional (county) and local (selected large cities) level. Furthermore, the paper uses three case studies to show what changes long-distance domestic transport has undergone on selected routes. There was a significant reduction in the number of long-distance connections, some lines were not operated at all, and of course, all cross-border connections were canceled. The paper covers the period from the turn of February and March 2020, when the measures began to take effect, to the end of May 2020, when almost all the adopted measures were gradually relaxed. The paper concludes with a summary of the basic features of the organization of transport during the validity of the special measures, as well as areas where significant changes took place and whose consequences may persist after the pandemic subsides.

scholarly journals Important issues of international economic activity of Ukrainian cargo carriers under european integration

2020 ◽  
pp. 86-101
Author(s):  
Viktoriia Adamyk ◽  
Daryna Rozhniatovska
Keyword(s):  
International Economic ◽  
European Integration ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Freight Transportation ◽  
Efficiency Index ◽  
Freight Transport ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Competitive Position ◽  
Transport Services ◽  
European Markets

Introduction. The development of Ukraine’s transport sector, in particular auto carriage of cargoes, is a necessary prerequisite for strengthening its competitive position in foreign, especially European, markets. Finding ways to solve the problems of domestic enterprises providing freight transportation services, generated by factors of internal and external environment, in the context of European integration is of particular relevance. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study the conditions of international economic activity of domestic haulage carriers in the European markets and to identify opportunities to strengthen their competitive position and remove technical barriers. Methods. The research was carried out by using such methods as: analysis and synthesis to identify problems of functioning the domestic transportation system and to formulate the concept of its strengthening; comparative analysis, including elements of the methodology for determining the Logistics Efficiency Index, and to study the logistics industry in Ukraine and identify technical barriers to European integration in the industry; tabular and visual methods for visual presentation of material. Results. The article identifies trends in the development of transport services in the EU and Ukraine and highlights the problems of the domestic freight transportation industry. It is stated that despite favorable conditions, in particular geopolitical, the potential of the transport sector of Ukraine in foreign markets is not fully used. The existing regulatory framework for the implementation of international freight auto transport is characterized, and its formal sufficiency is ascertained. Based on the analysis of the Logistics Efficiency Index, a comparison of the level of logistics development in Ukraine and its main partners in road freight transport has been made. It is found that by all index indicators, Ukraine ranks lower than partner countries. Based on the determination of the competitive position of domestic enterprises in the European markets for transport services, the main problems and weaknesses were identified, namely imperfect customs work, poor infrastructure, corruption of officials, some gaps in the regulatory framework, etc. Particular attention was paid to the technical barriers to the implementation in the European markets of freight transport services by domestic enterprises and a system of measures for their elimination was proposed, including improvement of the system of obtaining permits, solving personnel problems, modernization, including digitalization of the industry, etc. Discussion. To intensify and increase the efficiency of the international economic activity of Ukrainian freight carriers and integrate the domestic logistics system into the European one, Ukraine needs to rely not only on its own resources but also to attract international economic assistance, both bilateral and multilateral. The technical assistance will provide the solution to the personnel problem and help to modernize the industry, adapting them to the European requirements.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document