scholarly journals Rangeland Biodiversity and Climate Variability: Supporting the Need for Flexible Grazing Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7124
Author(s):  
Mounir Louhaichi ◽  
Mouldi Gamoun ◽  
Farah Ben Salem ◽  
Azaiez Ouled Belgacem
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Grazing Exclusion ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Pastoral Communities ◽  
One Year ◽  
Favorable Conditions ◽  
Arid Rangeland

Resting or grazing exclusion is an effective practice widely adopted to restore degraded, arid rangelands. To understand its effect on plant diversity, we studied Hill’s diversity indices during two growing seasons (2017–2019). The experiment consisted of a three-level factorial design with four plant communities subjected to different resting durations (one, two, and three years) compared to continuously grazed areas (control). The results showed that rainfall plays an important role in arid rangeland restoration. Under favorable conditions, one-year grazing exclusion considerably enhanced species richness and evenness diversity compared to longer resting durations under dry to average rainfall conditions. The decision to how long livestock grazing exclusion would last should not be decided upfront as it depends on the climatic and the site-specific conditions. The findings of this study will have vital management implications for development agencies. Knowing that short grazing exclusion with adequate rainfall amount and distribution could be enough and offers a cost-effective technical option to ensure the sustainable restoration of arid rangeland. This flexible grazing management would also be more acceptable by the pastoral communities. Longer resting periods could have detrimental effects on arid rangeland vegetation, in addition to adding more pressure on the remaining rangeland areas open to grazing.

Rotational grazing management achieves similar plant diversity outcomes to areas managed for conservation in a semi-arid rangeland

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. McDonald ◽  
Nick Reid ◽  
Rhiannon Smith ◽  
Cathleen M. Waters ◽  
John Hunter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Understorey Plant ◽  
Arid Rangeland

Despite the increasing extent of protected areas throughout the world, biodiversity decline continues. Grazing management that promotes both biodiversity and production outcomes has the potential to improve broad-scale conservation and complement the protected area network. In this study we explored the potential to integrate commercial livestock grazing and conservation in a semi-arid rangeland in south-eastern Australia. Understorey floristic composition and diversity were compared at different spatial scales across three grazing management treatments: (1) continuous commercial grazing management where paddocks were grazed for the majority of the year (≥8 months per annum); (2) rotational commercial grazing management where livestock are frequently rotated and paddocks rested for >4 months per annum; and (3) protected areas managed for conservation with domestic livestock excluded and grazed only by native and feral herbivores. The season of sampling, rainfall, soil characteristics and the spatial location of sites were the dominant drivers of variability in understorey plant species composition; the effect of grazing treatment on understorey plant species composition was relatively minor. However, areas managed for conservation and under rotational forms of commercial grazing management generally had greater floristic richness and diversity than continuously grazed areas, the results varying with season (spring/autumn) and soil type (clay/sandy-loam), particularly at fine scale (1-m2 quadrats). These findings indicate that rotational grazing management on commercial properties has the potential to improve biodiversity conservation outside the reserve system compared to conventional grazing management.

Sonographically guided, transcatheter foam sclerotherapy of the great saphenous vein

Phlebologie ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (06) ◽  
pp. 309-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Schulz ◽  
M. Jünger ◽  
M. Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Saphenous Vein ◽  
Great Saphenous Vein ◽  
Clinical Stage ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Duplex Sonography ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy ◽  
Average Loss ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Cost

Summary Objective: The goal of the study was to assess the effectiveness and patient tolerability of single-session, sonographically guided, transcatheter foam sclerotherapy and to evaluate its economic impact. Patients, methods: We treated 20 patients with a total of 22 varicoses of the great saphenous vein (GSV) in Hach stage III-IV, clinical stage C2-C5 and a mean GSV diameter of 9 mm (range: 7 to 13 mm). We used 10 ml 3% Aethoxysklerol®. Additional varicoses of the auxiliary veins of the GSV were sclerosed immediately afterwards. Results: The occlusion rate in the treated GSVs was 100% one week after therapy as demonstrated with duplex sonography. The cost of the procedure was 207.91 E including follow-up visit, with an average loss of working time of 0.6 days. After one year one patient showed clinical signs of recurrent varicosis in the GSV; duplex sonography showed reflux in the region of the saphenofemoral junction in a total of seven patients (32% of the treated GSVs). Conclusion: Transcatheter foam sclerotherapy of the GSV is a cost-effective, safe method of treating varicoses of GSV and broadens the spectrum of therapeutic options. Relapses can be re-treated inexpensively with sclerotherapy.

Cost Avoidance and Clinical Benefits Derived from a Pharmacy-Managed Anemia Program

2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Quercia ◽  
Ronald Abrahams ◽  
C. Michael White ◽  
John D'Avella ◽  
Mary Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Cost Avoidance ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Epoetin Alpha ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
Unit Dose ◽  
One Year ◽  
Alpha Therapy

A pharmacy-managed anemia program included distribution and clinical components, with the goal of making epoetin alpha therapy for hemodialysis patients more cost-effective. The Pharmacy Department prepared epoetin alpha doses for patients in unit-dose syringes, utilizing and documenting vial overfill. Pharmacists dosed epoetin alpha and iron (oral and intravenous) per protocol for new and established patients. Baseline data were obtained in 1994, one year prior to implementation of the program, and were re-evaluated in 1995 and 1998. Cost avoidance from utilization of epoetin alpha vial overfill in 1995 and 1998 was $83,560 and $91,148 respectively. In 1995 and 1998, cost avoidance from pharmacy management of anemia was $191,159 and $203,985 respectively. The total cost avoidance from 1995 through 1998 was estimated at $1,018,638. The number of patients with hematocrits under 31% decreased from 32% in 1994 to 21% and 14% in 1995 and 1998 respectively. We conclude that a pharmacy-managed anemia program for hemodialysis patients results in significant cost savings and better achievement of target hematocrits.

scholarly journals Microbiota identified from preserved Anopheles

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca E Silva ◽  
Zvifadzo Matsena Zingoni ◽  
Lizette L. Koekemoer ◽  
Yael L. Dahan-Moss
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Diversity ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Anopheles Funestus ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
Culture Dependent

Abstract Background Mosquito species from the Anopheles gambiae complex and the Anopheles funestus group are dominant African malaria vectors. Mosquito microbiota play vital roles in physiology and vector competence. Recent research has focused on investigating the mosquito microbiota, especially in wild populations. Wild mosquitoes are preserved and transported to a laboratory for analyses. Thus far, microbial characterization post-preservation has been investigated in only Aedes vexans and Culex pipiens. Investigating the efficacy of cost-effective preservatives has also been limited to AllProtect reagent, ethanol and nucleic acid preservation buffer. This study characterized the microbiota of African Anopheles vectors: Anopheles arabiensis (member of the An. gambiae complex) and An. funestus (member of the An. funestus group), preserved on silica desiccant and RNAlater® solution. Methods Microbial composition and diversity were characterized using culture-dependent (midgut dissections, culturomics, MALDI-TOF MS) and culture-independent techniques (abdominal dissections, DNA extraction, next-generation sequencing) from laboratory (colonized) and field-collected mosquitoes. Colonized mosquitoes were either fresh (non-preserved) or preserved for 4 and 12 weeks on silica or in RNAlater®. Microbiota were also characterized from field-collected An. arabiensis preserved on silica for 8, 12 and 16 weeks. Results Elizabethkingia anophelis and Serratia oryzae were common between both vector species, while Enterobacter cloacae and Staphylococcus epidermidis were specific to females and males, respectively. Microbial diversity was not influenced by sex, condition (fresh or preserved), preservative, or preservation time-period; however, the type of bacterial identification technique affected all microbial diversity indices. Conclusions This study broadly characterized the microbiota of An. arabiensis and An. funestus. Silica- and RNAlater®-preservation were appropriate when paired with culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques, respectively. These results broaden the selection of cost-effective methods available for handling vector samples for downstream microbial analyses.

scholarly journals Phlebotomine Sand Fly Fauna andLeishmaniaInfection in the Vicinity of the Serra do Cipó National Park, a Natural Brazilian Heritage Site

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Silva Lana ◽  
Érika Monteiro Michalsky ◽  
Consuelo Latorre Fortes-Dias ◽  
João Carlos França-Silva ◽  
Fabiana de Oliveira Lara-Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Serra Do Cipó ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One ◽  
Favorable Conditions

In the New World, the leishmaniases are primarily transmitted to humans through the bites ofLeishmania-infectedLutzomyia(Diptera: Psychodidae) phlebotomine sand flies. Any or both of two basic clinical forms of these diseases are endemic to several cities in Brazil—the American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) and the American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL). The present study was conducted in the urban area of a small-sized Brazilian municipality (Jaboticatubas), in which three cases of AVL and nine of ACL have been reported in the last five years. Jaboticatubas is an important tourism hub, as it includes a major part of the Serra do Cipó National Park. Currently, no local data is available on the entomological fauna or circulatingLeishmania. During the one-year period of this study, we captured 3,104 phlebotomine sand flies belonging to sixteenLutzomyiaspecies. In addition to identifying incriminated or suspected vectors of ACL with DNA of the etiological agent of AVL and vice versa, we also detectedLeishmaniaDNA in unexpectedLutzomyiaspecies. The expressive presence of vectors and naturalLeishmaniainfection indicates favorable conditions for the spreading of leishmaniases in the vicinity of the Serra do Cipó National Park.

Magnetic properties of PM in indoor/outdoor domestic environments 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aruã Da Silva Leite ◽  
Melina Macouin ◽  
Sonia Rousse ◽  
Jean-François Leon ◽  
Loïc Drigo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Oxides ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Tree Bark ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Magnetic Mineralogy ◽  
Magnetic Methods ◽  
Tree Barks ◽  
Domestic Environments ◽  
One Year ◽  
The City

<p>The finer fraction of the particulate matter (PM) is the most harmful health wise, as it has more capacity to reach deeper parts of the respiratory system. Among other constituents, PM also contains iron oxides, allowing for the use of magnetic methods in its investigation as proxies for the whole of PM. Those methods present advantages in comparison to traditional ones, being quick, cost effective and sensible to investigate iron oxides among PM. </p><p>To better understand the risks related to PM exposition in the domestic context, the assessment of magnetic parameters may be used in outdoor and indoor environments, giving us information on the concentration of iron oxides (and consequently, PM) and its dispersion from one environment to the other. </p><p>We developed a citizen sciences experiment in the city of Toulouse, France. Tree barks were used as bio-collectors. Garlands composed of tree bark pieces were distributed to the population in May-2019, and placed in both indoors and outdoors of flats and homes to capture PM. They were retrieved after one year. Measurement of magnetic susceptibility, ARM, SIRM, S -ratio and estimation of superparamagnetic concentration were performed. A total of 86 bio-collectors kits were successfully analyzed. The preliminary results indicate a higher concentration of iron oxides outdoors, with a mean difference between outdoor and indoor measurements of 6.58x10<sup>-9</sup>m<sup>3</sup>/kg and 1.38x10<sup>-5</sup>Am<sup>2</sup>/kg in susceptibility and SIRM respectively. The concentration of the SP fraction also follows this trend of higher outdoor values. The magnetic mineralogy is mostly dominated by low coercivity magnetite-like carriers.</p><div> <div> <div> </div> </div> <div> <div> </div> </div> </div>

Soybean production potential under crop rotation in the central forest-steppe of Trans-Urals

2021 ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
Ю.В. Суркова ◽  
И.Н. Цымбаленко ◽  
С.Д. Гилев
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Hydrothermal Coefficient ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Soybean Production ◽  
Rotation System ◽  
Favorable Conditions

Представлена комплексная оценка эффективности диверсификации севооборотов, а также способов обработки почвы и влияния азотных удобрений при возделывании сои в условиях засушливого климата центральной лесостепной зоны Зауралья. По результатам исследований, проведённых в 2010–2020 годах в Курганском НИИСХ – филиале УрФАНИЦ УрО РАН, установлено влияние гидротермических условий региона и агротехнических приёмов на формирование урожайности сои. В острозасушливые годы с гидротермическим коэффициентом 0,3–0,6 урожайность сои снижалась наполовину по сравнению с благоприятными по тепло- и влагообеспеченности периодами (ГТК — 1,1–1,2). На фоне удобрений и надёжной системы защиты посевов сои от сорных растений менее затратная поверхностная обработка по урожайности не уступала вспашке. Минеральный азот в дозе N30 на фоне средней обеспеченности почвы подвижным фосфором в острозасушливые годы обеспечил прибавку зерна сои 0,28 т/га, в благоприятные по условиям увлажнения годы прибавка от применения N30 увеличилась до 0,43 т/га. Диверсификация традиционного четырёхпольного зернопарового севооборота путём замены пшеничного поля посевами сои обеспечила повышение продуктивности, улучшение качества продукции и экономических показателей. Рентабельность производства продукции с севооборотной площади в вариантах с ресурсосберегающей поверхностной обработкой выросла до 110% без удобрений и до 117% — на фоне N30 против 49 и 66% в зернопаровом севообороте. В результате многолетних исследований в контрастных погодных условиях установлено, что производство сои в полевом севообороте в центральной лесостепной зоне Зауралья рентабельно даже в острозасушливые годы. При низком уровне урожайности (0,50–0,70 т/га) рентабельность составляет 30–50%. В благоприятные годы ресурсы зауральского климата позволяют получать урожайность сои на уровне 1,40–1,80 т/га. При этом рентабельность повышается до 220%. The report deals with the optimization of a rotation system as well as the effect of tillage and nitrogen fertilizers on soybean productivity under the drought of the central forest-steppe in Trans-Urals. The investigation was conducted at the Kurgan Research Institute of Agriculture in 2010–2020. The aim was to test the effect of tillage, moisture and temperature on soybean yield. Drought (hydrothermal coefficient of 0.3–0.6) reduced soybean productivity by 50% in comparison to favorable conditions (hydrothermal coefficient of 1.1–1.2). Less expensive surface tillage was as effective as plowing under fertilization and weed control. In dry years application of N30 increased grain yield by 0.28 t ha-1 under medium content of soluble P. Under favorable conditions the increase amounted to 0.43 t ha-1. Substitution of wheat with soybean in the conventional four-field crop rotation system resulted in higher crop productivity, yield quality and economic effectiveness. Payback raised up to 110% under surface tillage and no fertilization and 117% — on the background of N30 versus 49 and 66% obtained under fallow and grain crop rotation. Soybean production was cost-effective even under drought. Low soybean yield (0.50–0.70 t ha-1) resulted in profitability of 30–50%. Favorable conditions of the region provided soybean yield of 1.40–1.80 t ha-1, increasing profitability up to 220%.

scholarly journals A one-year cost–utility analysis of REBOA versus RTACC for non-compressible torso haemorrhage

Trauma ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxwell S Renna ◽  
Cristiano van Zeller ◽  
Farah Abu-Hijleh ◽  
Cherlyn Tong ◽  
Jasmine Gambini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽  
Cost Utility ◽  
Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio ◽  
Cost Utility Analysis ◽  
Utility Analysis ◽  
Cost Effectiveness Ratio ◽  
One Year ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

Introduction Major trauma is a leading cause of death and disability in young adults, especially from massive non-compressible torso haemorrhage. The standard technique to control distal haemorrhage and maximise central perfusion is resuscitative thoracotomy with aortic cross-clamping (RTACC). More recently, the minimally invasive technique of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) has been developed to similarly limit distal haemorrhage without the morbidity of thoracotomy; cost–utility studies on this intervention, however, are still lacking. The aim of this study was to perform a one-year cost–utility analysis of REBOA as an intervention for patients with major traumatic non-compressible abdominal haemorrhage, compared to RTACC within the U.K.’s National Health Service. Methods A retrospective analysis of the outcomes following REBOA and RTACC was conducted based on the published literature of survival and complication rates after intervention. Utility was obtained from studies that used the EQ-5D index and from self-conducted surveys. Costs were calculated using 2016/2017 National Health Service tariff data and supplemented from further literature. A cost–utility analysis was then conducted. Results A total of 12 studies for REBOA and 20 studies for RTACC were included. The mean injury severity scores for RTACC and REBOA were 34 and 39, and mean probability of death was 9.7 and 54%, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of REBOA when compared to RTACC was £44,617.44 per quality-adjusted life year. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, by exceeding the National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness’s willingness-to-pay threshold of £30,000/quality-adjusted life year, suggests that this intervention is not cost-effective in comparison to RTACC. However, REBOA yielded a 157% improvement in utility with a comparatively small cost increase of 31.5%. Conclusion Although REBOA has not been found to be cost-effective when compared to RTACC, ultimately, clinical experience and expertise should be the main factor in driving the decision over which intervention to prioritise in the emergency context.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document