Measurement, model testing, and legislative influence in the European Union

Within the last several years, new data have become available to test the various theoretical models of EU decision-making, and, in doing so, to assess actor influence. This article examines the extent to which the recent DEU and DEUII datasets provide sufficient information to distinguish between competing theoretical models of legislative decision-making, and accurately assess the power of the different branches of EU government. It argues that insufficient attention has been paid to measurement error in these data. Once measurement error is accounted for, it becomes clear that these data do not provide sufficient information to distinguish between most models of legislative politics. Moreover, empirical models that fail to account for measurement error are likely to lead researchers to erroneous conclusions about actors’ legislative influence. </jats:p

Bacteriological evaluation in Salmon (Salmo salar) benefit in fish's warehouse in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The consumption of raw fish is increasing in Brazil however it may present a higher risk to public health, because its integrity depends only on proper handling and storage. Hence, the use of effective means to ensure the safety of the product is extremely important. The aim of this investigation was to carry out microbiological analysis of salmon (Salmosalar) before and after the processing in a fish industry. The microbiological analyzes were: Salmonella spp(SS), Staphylococcus aureus (SA), total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli (EC) and Aerobic Mesophilic Heterotrophic Bacteria (AMHB). The raw material and the final product had low levels of AMHB and SA. TC was in low concentration only in the final product. The SS and EC bacteria were not isolated. It is suggested that fish industries with ?good processing practices? can produce suitable raw fish to fresh consumption

Identificação e compatibilidade de espécies herbáceas nativas e BRS Piatã (Brachiaria Brizantha Cv. Piatã).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a compatibilidade entre uma gramínea exótica e o pasto nativo, através da produção de biomassa dos componentes do pasto e da identificação da presença de espécies de dicotiledôneas herbáceas, em uma área cultivada com BRS Piatã manejado sob diferentes graus dia.bitstream/item/142537/1/CNPC-2015-Identificacao-e-compatibilidade.pd

Metodologias para avaliação da integridade estrutural de cúpulas e abóbadas históricas em alvenaria

Modern non-destructive investigation techniques and computational tools for nonlinear analysis allow understanding the structural behavior and damage of existing buildings, aiming at the least possible extent of intervention. Careful and minimal intervention is essential to preserve the authenticity of the built cultural heritage. An investigation with a historical, experimental, and numerical approach was carried out in the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, a building with an eclectic architecture from the beginning of the twentieth century. Its masonry domes and vault have paintings by renowned artists on their intrados and were strengthened in the 1970s. The adopted methodology was based on anamnesis, characterization and observation of the structure employing non-destructive tests, and on the assessment of its vulnerability by nonlinear analyses of calibrated numerical models. Several hypotheses of differential settlement under gravitational actions were investigated, seeking to reproduce the cracking pattern and to identify the causes of damage to the masonry domes and vault before the strengthening. The nonlinear analysis of the structure allowed to evaluate the causes of the observed damage, assess the level of safety, identify the most vulnerable parts, and characterize the collapse mechanisms, in addition to demonstrating the efficiency of the intervention measures adopted in the past.Técnicas modernas de investigação não destrutiva e ferramentas computacionais para análise não linear permitem compreender o comportamento estrutural e danos em edifícios existentes, visando a menor intervenção possível. A intervenção cuidadosa e mínima é essencial para preservar a autenticidade do patrimônio cultural construído. Uma investigação de abordagem histórica, experimental e numérica foi realizada no Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, no Brasil, edifício de arquitetura eclética do início do século XX. Suas cúpulas e abóbada em alvenaria possuem pinturas de renomados artistas no intradorso e foram reforçadas na década de 1970. A metodologia adotada baseou-se na anamnese, caracterização e observação da estrutura por meio de ensaios não destrutivos e na avaliação de sua vulnerabilidade por análises não lineares de modelos numéricos calibrados. Diversas hipóteses de recalque diferencial sob ações gravitacionais foram investigadas, buscando reproduzir o padrão de fissuração e identificar as causas dos danos nas alvenarias antes do reforço. A análise não linear da estrutura permitiu avaliar as causas dos danos observados, estimar o nível de segurança, identificar as partes mais vulneráveis e caracterizar os mecanismos de colapso, além de demonstrar a eficácia das medidas de intervenção adotadas no passado.This research was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001 and Faperj, grant number E-26/201.812/2017