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This research work is carried out to identify the corrosive nature of soils towards the buried-galvanized steel and cast iron pipelines buried in Sanothimi areas of Madhyapur Thimi municipality, Bhaktapur based on different soil parameters such as organic content, moisture content, pH, resistivity, oxidation-reduction potential, chloride and sulfate ions. The soil parameters of the collected soil samples from the study areas were analyzed using standard ASTM methods. Concentrations of these soil parameters measured in this study were found as: organic content (0.9- 7.9%), moisture content (8.0-36.7%), pH (6.8-7.7), resistivity (3900-16700 ohm.cm), oxidation-reduction potential (337-461 mV vs SHE), chloride (25-71 ppm) and sulfate (35-464 ppm) contents. These soil parameters gave an indication of “mildly corrosive” to “less corrosive” nature of soils on the galvanized steels and cast iron pipelines buried in the study areas. Based on the findings of the present studies, it can be advised to the related authorities or local people that simple modification of the soils by using cheapest non-conducting materials like gravel or sand around the buried water supply pipelines before undergrounding them in the study areas is very beneficial from the corrosion point of view to increase their life time. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v11i0.10387 BIBECHANA 11(1) (2014) 94-102

The purpose of this research is to substantiate the need to develop a professional standard “Management specialist in industries and at enterprises of the agro-industrial complex” to improve the provision of the Russian agro-industrial complex with management personnel. Methods. To achieve this purpose, it is rational to apply analytical and statistical research methods: to analyze the provision of the Russian agro-industrial complex with specialists with economic and managerial competencies, to carry out a comparative analysis of the job responsibilities of managers and chief specialists of agricultural organizations performing the functions of personnel management and production processes, and the content and volume of economic-management training for the agro-industrial complex. Results. The heads of agricultural organizations, their deputies and chief specialists do not always meet the requirements for educational level and possession of economic and managerial competencies. On average, in the system of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, only 66 % of heads of agricultural enterprises have higher education, among the main specialists – 71 %. In the agricultural sector, there is an obvious shortage of managerial personnel, a high proportion of them are without professional education, a large proportion is occupied by employees of retirement age. Training of personnel for the agro-industrial complex is carried out in 54 universities subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia. The number of graduates in the main agricultural areas and specialties trained internally at the expense of the federal budget is more than 19 000 people, but there are only about 6 000 graduates of the specialist and magistracy who have the right to occupy leadership positions. In addition, in the main professional educational programs of personnel for the agro-industrial complex, little study time is allocated for the study of economic and management disciplines, which does not allow the formation of the necessary competencies in graduates to perform the functions of organizing agricultural production. To provide agricultural organizations with personnel with modern economic and management competencies, it is proposed to recommend that agricultural universities, when teaching students in the main specialties of the agricultural profile, determine the list of relevant disciplines, their volume and content in the main professional educational programs in accordance with the labor functions, knowledge and skills specified in the draft professional standard “Specialist in management in industries and enterprises of the agro-industrial complex”.

One of the factors involved in goat milk production is the role of women as farmers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of women on dairy goat farms, considering: (1) the profile of women occupationally involved, (2) the organization of the women’s work, (3) the degree of involvement by women in the decision-making on these farms, and (4) the influence of women’s work on productive results. This study was conducted on 52 dairy goat farms in southern Spain. A descriptive analysis and means comparisons were performed to describe the farms where any women were involved or not. In 61.5% of the farms, at least one woman was involved, with an age of 42.2 ± 8.8 years. Very few women were farm owners, although women took binding decisions in 81.25% of these farms. Their work is dedicated to milking and caring for the kids. Women had a positive influence on the productive variables analysed, and for mastitis in herds, the incidence was lower in herds where women participated (p < 0.01). In conclusion, it is recommended to include women’s work as a factor when characterizing dairy goats farms’ systems to evaluate their positive effect on a farm’s performance.

Communication innovation is a way of conveying the discovery of new ideas to the community for a social change to occur. Utilization of land is an innovation for rural areas today to achieve food independence. The objectives of this study include: 1) Knowing the adoption process for innovative land use for food resources in Doudo Village. 2) Understand how the community optimizes the yard in Doudo Village. 3) Knowing the digital media that people use in marketing their products. The study was conducted on the people of Doudo Village, Gresik Regency, East Java. From July to October 2017. This study uses descriptive and exploratory methods. Primary data taken by key informants and sources related to activities. The results show that the adoption process of innovation is initiated by change agents by mapping community leaders who have credibility, so that they can influence the community. Comparative and observability advantages are the dominant factors that influence the use of land. The types of plants planted include a) family medicinal plants, b) ornamental plants, c) protective plants, d) vegetables, and e) shade plants. The yield from planting is added value so that it can be sold to increase income. Finally, land use is carried out by community leaders and distributed to other communities.

Abstract Traditional village is the most basic and fundamental unit in the traditional agricultural society of China, and the concept of this human settlement space has been a long-term concern for researchers. This paper analyses the Dai traditional villages in different regions of Yunnan Province in China, and summarizes their ethnic and regional characteristics and the influencing factors. Furthermore, the sustainable development concept is discussed from the methods of human settlement environment, cultural geography and architectural typology. The conclusions are as follows: (1) Dai traditional villages share a common sustainable development concept of human settlements, which is reflected in the environmental, village and residential spaces. (2) The villages reflect the ecological concept of respecting nature, adapting measures to local conditions and harmonious coexistence. (3) The primitive belief and Theravada Buddhism of Dai nationality constitute a “Two-in-One” religious form, which determines the unique spatial pattern and human settlement ideas. (4) In the history of Dai nationality’s migration along rivers, many settlement areas have been formed in similar or even the same environments, and the villages show the original ethnic attributes and different regional attributes. (5) The similarities and differences between ethnic and regional characteristics of Dai villages are mainly affected by the combined effects of “nature, religion, human”, which has also created a unique and sustainable ideology of Dai human settlement environment, until today still has a strong vitality.

International agricultural carbon market projects face significant challenges in delivering greenhouse gas mitigation objectives whilst also seeking to provide additional benefits for poverty alleviation. The carbon credit producer (the smallholder farmer) and carbon credit buyer in the carbon market transaction typically operate at different spatial and temporal scales. Buyers operate at a global scale, responding to opportunities for financial speculation and both private and public climate actionplans. Farmers operate within households, farms, and immediate agricultural landscapes, pursuing livelihood and food security needs. These different scales often result in mismatches of timing, payment, and knowledge in market transactions and can be partially rectified by project developers who serve to broker the relationship between the farmers and the buyers. We examined eight East African agricultural carbon market projects to determine how project developers function as bridging organizations and minimize the mismatches between these actors. Results show that projects better bridged the timing and payment gap between buyers and producers when project developers provided non-monetary benefits or direct monetary assistance to farmers. However, knowledge gaps remained a significant barrier for farmers wishing to participate in the market. We discuss how project developers brokered relationships in ways that reflected their interests and highlight the limitations, trade-offs, and challenges that must be overcome if win-win outcomes of poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation are to be realized.

Background: Phenolic compounds are food-derived bioactive compounds well-known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are in the spotlight for the management of diabetes due to their positive effects on glucose homeostasis. Materials and methods: We have performed a literature review on the main topics related to the application of phenolic compounds as functional food ingredients. This includes extraction and purification from vegetable sources and agro-industrial by-products, encapsulation to improve their solubility and bioavailability, and preclinical and clinical evidence linking these compounds with anti-diabetic activity. Objectives: (1) provide an understanding of the role of phenolic compounds on diabetes; (2) identify green technologies for phenolic compounds extraction from agri-food by-products following a biorefinery scheme; (3) underline the relevance of encapsulation techniques using nanotechnology to improve their bioavailability; (4) discuss the therapeutic efficacy of polyphenols. Results: This review compiles recent relevant research on phenolic compounds extraction from renewable resources, their purification from agri-food by-products, and encapsulation strategies using eco-friendly processes. It also highlights the preclinical and clinical evidence on phenolic compounds’ antidiabetic activity, giving insight into their mechanisms of action. Conclusions: This review explores the latest advances in polyphenols and how their benefits in glucose homeostasis can be applied toward improving the health of patients with diabetes and related conditions.

AbstractExtreme weather events have become a dominant feature of the narrative surrounding changes in global climate with large impacts on ecosystem stability, functioning and resilience; however, understanding of their risk of co‐occurrence at the regional scale is lacking. Based on the UK Met Office’s long‐term temperature and rainfall records, we present the first evidence demonstrating significant increases in the magnitude, direction of change and spatial co‐localisation of extreme weather events since 1961. Combining this new understanding with land‐use data sets allowed us to assess the likely consequences on future agricultural production and conservation priority areas. All land‐uses are impacted by the increasing risk of at least one extreme event and conservation areas were identified as the hotspots of risk for the co‐occurrence of multiple event types. Our findings provide a basis to regionally guide land‐use optimisation, land management practices and regulatory actions preserving ecosystem services against multiple climate threats.