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Soil carbon balance of afforested peatlands in the maritime temperate climatic zone
No full textrainage and conversion of natural peatlands to forestry increases soil CO2 emis sions through decomposition of peat and modifies the quantity and quality of litter
inputs and therefore the soil carbon balance. In organic soils, CO2 net emissions and
removals are reported using carbon emission factors (EF). The choice of specific de fault Tier 1 EF values from the IPCC 2013 Wetlands supplement depends on land use categories and climate zones. However, Tier 1 EF for afforested peatlands in the
temperate maritime climate zone are based on data from eight sites, mainly located
in the hemiboreal zone, and the uncertainty associated with these default values is
a concern. In addition, moving from Tier 1 to higher-Tier carbon reporting values is
highly desirable when large areas are affected by land-use changes. In this study, we
estimated site-specific soil carbon balance for the development of Tier 2 soil CO2-C
EFs for afforested peatlands. Soil heterotrophic respiration and aboveground tree lit terfall were measured during two years at eight afforested peatland sites in Ireland.
In addition, fine-root turnover rate and site-specific fine-root biomass were used to
quantify belowground litter inputs. We found that drainage of peatlands and plant ing them with either Sitka spruce or lodgepole pine, resulted in soils being net car bon sources. The soil carbon balance at multi-year sites varied between 63 ± 92 and
309 ± 67 g C m−2 year−1. Mean CO2-C EF for afforested peatlands was 1.68 ± 0.33
t CO2-C ha−1 year−1. The improved CO2-C EFs presented here for afforested peatlands
are proposed as a basis to update national CO2-C emissions from this land-use class
in Ireland. Furthermore, new data from these sites will significantly contribute to the
development of more reliable IPCC default Tier 1 CO2-C EFs for afforested peatlands
in the maritime temperate climate zone
Quantification of cow milk yield and pre-weaning calf growth response in temperate pasture-based beef suckler systems: A meta-analysis
No full textThe objectives of this study were to quantitatively summarize factors associated with cow milk yield (MY) and calf growth response in pasture-based beef cow-calf suckler systems and to discern how cow genotype and parity influenced these responses. A dataset of 344 treatment mean observations was compiled from 69 studies that reported data on cow MY, and calf pre-weaning average daily live weight gain (ADG) and/or weaning weight (WW). Data were analysed using linear mixed effects models with study and region included as random effects. Models were developed for cow MY, calf ADG and WW response and each model was evaluated based on different model fit statistics. The final cow MY model included cow origin (Dairybeef or Beef), cow maturity (early-maturing (EM) or late-maturing (LM) genotypes) and parity. Dairybeef produced 35.4% more milk (8.64 vs. 6.38 kg/day) than Beef cows, and LM produced 20.9% more milk (8.20 vs. 6.78 kg/day) than EM genotypes (P < 0.001). Multiparous cows had a 14.8% higher MY (8.11 vs. 7.06 kg/day) compared to primiparous cows (P < 0.001). Lactation curve persistency was better (P < 0.05) for Beef and EM compared to Dairybeef and LM genotype cows, respectively. The final models of calf ADG and WW included cow origin, cow maturity and parity. Calves from Dairybeef and LM cows were 14 and 20 kg heavier (P < 0.001) at weaning (210-day adjusted) compared to those from Beef and EM genotype cows, respectively. Calves from multiparous cows were 13 kg heavier at weaning than those from primiparous cows (P < 0.001). The response in calf ADG associated with a 1 kg increase in cow daily MY was 47 and 53 g for Dairybeef and Beef cows, respectively (P < 0.001). Corresponding responses for EM and LM cows were 51 and 55 g (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the relationships between cow MY and calf pre-weaning growth, as well as the quantitative impact of cow genotype and parity were determined for pasture-based beef suckler systems; the coefficients generated can be used for improving beef cow-calf management strategies, beef cattle breeding programmes and bio-economic modelling purposes
Exposure of Agaricus bisporus to Trichoderma aggressivum f. europaeum leads to growth inhibition and induction of an oxidative stress response
No full textGreen mould disease of mushroom, Agaricus bisporus,is caused by Trichodermaspecies and can result in substantial crop losses.Label free proteomic analysis of changes in the abundance of A. bisporusproteins following exposure to T. aggressivumsupernatantin vitroindicated increased abundance of proteins associated with an oxidative stress response (zinc ion binding (+6.6 fold); peroxidase activity (5.3-fold); carboxylic ester hydrolase (+2.4 fold); dipeptidase (+3.2 fold); [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly (+3.3 fold)). Proteins that decreased in relative abundance were associated with growth: structural constituent of ribosome, translation (-12 fold), deadenylation-dependent decapping of nuclear-transcribed mRNA (-3.4 fold), and small GTPase mediated signal transduction (-2.6 fold). In vivoanalysis revealed that 10-4 T. aggressivuminoculum decreased the mushroom yield by 29% to 56% and 10-3 T. aggressivuminoculum decreased the mushroom yield by 68% to 100%. Proteins that increased in abundance in A. bisporusin vivofollowing exposure to T. aggressivumindicated an oxidative stress response and included proteins with pyruvate kinase activity (+2.6 fold) and hydrolase activity (+2.1 fold)). The results indicate that exposure of A. bisporusmycelium to T. aggressivum in vitroand in vivoresulted in an oxidative stress response and reduction in growth.Irish Research Counci
Mental representations of values and behaviors
No full textThe present research provides the first direct assessment of the fit of diverse behaviors to putatively related personal and social values from Schwartz’s theory. Across three studies, we examined spatial representations of value-related behaviors that were explicitly derived from people’s mental representations of the values. Participants were asked how similar the behaviors were to each other and various values, and these judgments were used to specify multidimensional scaling solutions. The results indicated that the spatial representation of the behaviors was consistent with the two-dimensional space described in Schwartz’s model of values, although several deviations occurred. For example, self-enhancement behaviors were widely spread, indicating more variation in the way individuals interpret these behaviors, which are often associated with other value types. These data provide evidence that a range of behaviors can at least partly be reduced to underlying motivations expressed by values. Furthermore, our findings indicate that behaviors are often expressed by several values, which might help to explain why value–behavior associations in previous studies were weak. Finally, they illustrate a new approach to learning which behaviors might relate to multiple values
Process model approach to predict tablet weight variability for direct compression formulations at pilot and production scale
No full textOptimizing processing conditions to achieve a critical quality attribute (CQA) is an integral
part of pharmaceutical quality by design (QbD). It identifies combinations of material and processing parameters ensuring that processing conditions achieve a targeted CQA. Optimum processing conditions are formulation and equipment-dependent. Therefore, it is challenging to translate a process design between formulations, pilot-scale and production-scale equipment. In this study, an empirical model was developed to determine optimum processing conditions for direct compression formulations with varying flow properties, across pilot- and production-scale tablet presses. The CQA of interest was tablet weight variability, expressed as percentage relative standard deviation. An experimental design was executed for three model placebo blends with varying flow properties. These blends were compacted on one pilot-scale and two production-scale presses. The process model developed enabled the optimization of processing parameters for each formulation, on each press, with respect to a target tablet weight variability of <1%RSD. The model developed was successfully validated using data for additional placebo and active formulations. Validation formulations were benchmarked to formulations used for model development, employing permeability index values to indicate blend flow
Defining national biogenic methane targets: implications for national food production & climate neutrality objectives
No full textThe full text of this article will not be available in ULIR until the embargo expires on the 23/06/2023Methane is a short-lived greenhouse gas (GHG) modelled distinctly from long-lived GHGs such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide to establish global emission budgets for climate stabilisation. The Paris Agreement requires a 24–47% reduction in global biogenic methane emissions by 2050. Separate treatment of methane in national climate policies will necessitate consideration of how global emission budgets compatible with climate stabilisation can be downscaled to national targets, but implications of different downscaling rules for national food production and climate neutrality objectives are poorly understood. This study addresses that knowledge gap by examining four methods to determine national methane quotas, and two methods of GHG aggregation (GWP100 and GWP*) across four countries with contrasting agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) sectors and socio-economic contexts (Brazil, France, India and Ireland). Implications for production of methane-intensive food (milk, meat, eggs and rice) in 2050 and national AFOLU climate neutrality targets are explored. It is assumed that methane quotas are always filled by food production where sufficient land is available. Global methane budgets for 1.5 °C scenarios are downscaled to national quotas based on: grand-parenting (equal percentage reductions across countries); equity (equal per capita emissions); ability (emission reductions proportionate to GDP); animal protein security (emissions proportionate to animal protein production in 2010). The choice of allocation method changes national methane quotas by a factor of between 1.7 (India) and 6.7 (Ireland). Despite projected reductions in emission-intensities, livestock production would need to decrease across all countries except India to comply with quotas under all but the most optimistic sustainable intensification scenarios. The extent of potential afforestation on land spared from livestock production is decisive in achieving climate neutrality. Brazil and Ireland could maintain some degree of milk and beef export whilst achieving territorial climate neutrality, but scenarios that comply with climate neutrality in India produce only circa 30% of national calorie and protein requirements via rice and livestock. The downscaling of global methane budgets into national policy targets in an equitable and internationally acceptable manner will require simultaneous consideration of the interconnected priorities of food security and (land banks available for) carbon offsetting
Combining sustainable design education with research on pathway to zero energy historic buildings’
No full textThis paper describes an attempt to bring together the Teaching & Learning experience of students of architecture, a live research project, and the collaboration between leaders of separate modules in order to provide a more integrated educational experience. Cork Centre for Architectural Education (CCAE) provides professional degrees which are recognised under the terms of the EU Directive on Professional Qualifications (Architecture). One of its distinguishing features is the inclusion of a Building Conservation module in the third year of its five-year programme. This module is delivered mostly by architects, engineers and historians who also provide professional services in this specialised area. The Third Year Design Studio usually responds to this specialist resource by setting students a design project which involves design for re-use, adaptation, or extension to an existing, and often historic, building. In 2019, CCAE became the Lead Partner in a Northern Periphery & Artic Region Programme project entitled “Energy Pathfinder – Towards Zero Energy Standards in Historic Buildings”, supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Partners in five countries are studying techniques to reduce energy demands and supply renewable energy to meet the balance of energy requirements in Historic Buildings, and to disseminate guidance. The new, stricter Zero-Energy-Building regulations that have been introduced throughout Europe present considerable challenges and opportunities to product manufacturers, builders, engineers and architects. However, the difficulties are multiplied when dealing with historical buildings, which are often granted exceptions from the strictest energy regulations. The design for retrofitting insulation, for example requires an understanding of the priorities for conservation in different buildings, as well as the skills required to prevent retrofitted insulation and draft stripping from causing problems of condensation and subsequent visual discoloration of finishes, and fabric deterioration. This requires a degree of sophistication in hygrothermal modelling, not always required in new-build design projects. Furthermore, the deployment of renewable energy systems such as photovoltaics, aerogenerators and heat pumps usually demands the installation of large equipment that might detract from the historical environments that society wishes to maintain. The visual impact of these technologies on historic buildings often leads to their rejection. The research programme requires the creation of demonstration projects in different countries. The building selected as a demonstrator in Cork, the re-use of a large, building used most recently by a religious order. This site was also selected as a conservation-related project for Year Three students. This paper examines the range of student proposed solutions, and the potential benefits of meshing a live research project into a teaching curriculum, which itself merged five distinct taught modules
Emotional intelligence for sustainable engineering education: Incorporating soft skills in the capstone chemical engineering capstone design project
No full textChemical engineering students in universities across the world are involved in at least one chemical engineering design project during their studies. Traditionally, the concept of design in chemical engineering education has been associated with the design of processes, equipment and products, with extensive focus in technical knowledge, creative thinking, problem solving, common sense and efficiency. But are these skills enough for chemical engineering graduates to shine and make a difference in their careers? While engineering education focuses on the establishment of hard skills, it pays little or no attention to the soft skills that are necessary for the careers of engineering graduates. Conversely, sustainable engineering education considers soft/social skills, such as the ability to work in teams, empathy, self-motivation and self-regulation, a key element of engineering curricula. In order to maximise the potential of sustainable engineering education and prepare the students for the real work life challenges, in a team-driven learning format, as opposed to a student-centred approach, a “collaborative working strategy” (Mitchell, 2008) was introduced to the capstone design project. A personality mapping and a set of collaborating working values and behaviours were introduced as part of the project, in order to examine the extent to which emotional intelligence enhances collaborative teamwork in engineering education. More specifically, the students were asked to map their personalities and working styles in order to explore the dynamics of their team. The personality test that was used for this purpose was “The Insights Discovery, the colour personality test”, based on Carl Jung’s model for personality types. Having mapped their working style strengths and weaknesses, the teams were asked to adhere to a set of values including 1) common goal and unity of purpose, 2) team trust, 3) interdependence, 4) accountability and 5) effective feedback. These values were used as a guideline for effective communication, while the students were asked to monitor, list and reflect on the collaborative working behaviours of them and their peers, as part of their weekly tasks. The preliminary findings of this ongoing study have indicated that emotional intelligence enhances the effectiveness of project team working, providing the necessary evidence that emotional intelligence holds a dominant role in sustainable engineering education and should be part of the engineering curriculum