Aspects of selection in an interbred flock based on Perendales crossed with Merino X Romney ewes : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Animal Science at Massey University

Genetic, phenotypic and environmental parameters were estimated from hogget traits recorded on 237 Perendale x (Merino x Romney) ewe hoggets between 1977 and 1984. Non-genetic effects on weaning weight (WW) for 634 ewe and ram lambs were analysed. A selection objective and criteria was defined and appraised for the flock. The traits examined were hogget liveweight (HLW), greasy fleece weight (GFW), clean fleece weight (CFW), quality number (QN), character grade (CHG), handle grade (HG), cotting grade (CG), soundness grade (SG), greasy colour grade (GCG), scoured colour grade (SCG), staple length (SL), total crimp number (TCN), clean scoured yield (Y), mean fibre diameter (MFD) and crimps per centimetre (CPC). The least squares method of fitting constants was used to estimate the major environmental factors influencing the traits studied. Heritabilities (h2) were obtained by the daughter-dam regression (DDR) and daughter-dam correlation (DDC) methods. The genetic (rG), phenotypic (rP) and environmental (rE) correlations were calculated by the daughter-dam method. The estimates of environmental effects agree in most cases with the published estimates. Between year differences were important sources of variation and had a highly significant effect on all traits except SCG. Rearing rank effect was found to be the most important source of variation for WW and HLW. Age of dam and sex had a highly significant effect on WW. Neither rearing rank nor age of dam exerted any significant influence on wool traits. The estimates of heritability calculated by daughter-dam regression method were: HLW (0.16), GFW (0.17), CFW (0.24), QN (0.42), CHG (0.38), SG (0.02), GCG (0.38), SCG (0.09), SL (0.12), TCN (0.08), Y (0.41) and MFD (0.29). Genetic and phenotypic correlations calculated among some hogget traits were respectively: HLW x GFW (0.67 and 0.66); HLW x CFW (0.62 and 0.56); HLW x SL (0.79 and 0.44); HLW x MFD (-0.45 and 0.24); GFW x CFW (0.87 and 0.94); GFW x SL (0.37 and 0.60); GFW x MFD (-0.98 and 0.38); CFW x GCG (0.52 and 0.02); QN x MFD (-0.79 and -0.30); SG x MFD (0.73 and -0.21); GCG x SCG (0.87 and 0.38); GCG x Y (0.96 and 0.04) and SCG x Y (0.77 and 0.00). Lifetime economic weights derived using the marginal profit method were calculated to define a selection objective for the flock studied. The traits included in the objective were number of lambs weaned (NLW (dam)), WW, CFW, MFD and SCG. Besides the traits in the objective, HLW, GFW, QN and GCG were included as selection criteria. The appropriate selection indices for ram hoggets (I1), ewe hoggets (I2) and lambs (I3 ) were respectively: I1 =4.66 NLW (dam) + 0.62 HLW + 0.10 WW + 3.91 GFW - 1.70 MFD + 0.50 GCG. I2 =4.79 NLW (dam) + 0.61 HLW + 0.04 WW + 1.99 GFW + 0.23 QN + 1.60 GCG. I3 = 4.87 NLW (dam) + 0.48 WW

Phase space analysis of quintessence fields trapped in a Randall-Sundrum Braneworld: anisotropic Bianchi I brane with a Positive Dark Radiation term

In this paper we investigate, from the dynamical systems perspective, the evolution of an scalar field with arbitrary potential trapped in a Randall-Sundrum's Braneworld of type 2. We consider an homogeneous but anisotropic Bianchi I (BI) brane filled also with a perfect fluid. We also consider the effect of the projection of the five-dimensional Weyl tensor onto the three-brane in the form of a positive Dark Radiation term. Using the center manifold theory we obtain sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stability of de Sitter solution with standard 4D behavior. We also prove that there are not late time de Sitter attractors with 5D-modifications since they are always saddle-like. This fact correlates with a transient primordial inflation. We present here sufficient conditions on the potential for the stability of the scalar field-matter scaling solution, the scalar field-dominated solution, and the scalar field-dark radiation scaling solution. We illustrate our analytical findings using a simple $f$-deviser as a toy model. All these results are generalizations of our previous results obtained for FRW branes.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, one affiliation added, matches the published version at CQG. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1110.173

Microalgae bioreactor for nutrient removal and resource recovery from wastewater in the paradigm of circular economy

Every day, large quantities of wastewater are discharged from various sources that could be reused. Wastewater contains nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphorus, which can be recovered. Microalgae-based technologies have attracted attention in this sector, as they are able to bioremediate wastewater, harnessing its nutrients and generating algal biomass useful for different downstream uses, as well as having other advantages. There are multiple species of microalgae capable of growing in wastewater, achieving nutrient removal efficiencies surpassing 70%. On the other hand, microalgae contain lipids that can be extracted for energy recovery in biodiesel. Currently, there are several methods of lipid extraction from microalgae. Other biofuels can also be obtained from microalgae biomass, such as bioethanol, biohydrogen or biogas. This review also provides information on bioenergy products and products in the agri-food industry as well as in the field of human health based on microalgae biomass within the concept of circular bioeconomy.Universidad de Granada / CBUAJunta de Andalucía and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) [P18-TP-4732

Seguridad farmacológica de la ivermectina vía oral en gestantes

El estudio tuvo el propósito de conocer la existencia de la seguridad farmacológica de la ivermectina por vía oral en gestantes. Para lo cual se realizó una revisión sistemática de información publicada en revistas de internet como Pub Med, MEDLINE, Scopus, Toxline, Registro de ensayos clínicos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, lista de FDA de Estados Unidos, ClinicalTrials, y el Registro Central de Cochrane. Se revisaron un total de 73 artículos de investigación cuya data se dio entre 1990 al 2020. Se eligió dos experimentos en animales, un estudio clínico y cinco analíticos. Se encontró que los estudios realizados en animales mostraron riesgo de aborto, malformaciones congénitas, muerte fetal y materna. Mientras que en humanos no se pudo determinar riesgo de los efectos presentados en el estudio de los animales. Se concluye que es necesario realizar nuevos estudios clínicos o seguimiento para establecer la presencia de efectos adversos en gestantes tras el consumo de ivermectina.The purpose of the study was to determine the existence of pharmacological safety of oral ivermectin in pregnant women. For which a systematic review of information published in internet magazines such as Pub Med, MEDLINE, Scopus, Toxline, World Health Organization Clinical Trials Register, US FDA list, ClinicalTrials, and the Central Register was performed. from Cochrane. A total of 73 research articles were reviewed, the date of which was between 1990 and 2020. Two animal experiments were chosen, one clinical study and five analytical ones. Animal studies were found to show a risk of miscarriage, birth defects, fetal and maternal death. While in humans, no risk could be determined from the effects presented in the animal study. It is concluded that it is necessary to carry out new clinical studies or follow-up to establish the presence of adverse effects in pregnant women after the consumption of ivermectin.Tesi

Proposal of a Measurement Scale of Decision Quality in Infrastructure Projects in Oil and Gas Exploitation

The objective in this paper is to present a proposal of a scale to measure the decision quality in infrastructure projects in the exploitation of oil and gas, as well as its foundations. One of the most important distinctions of Decision Analysis is the differentiation between a good decision and a good outcome, which is the approach of the scale, which occurs when decision making faces uncertainty. Therefore, a good decision does not always produce a good outcome. From this distinction, a progressive scale was designed, using an adjustment of the pairwise comparisons based on the Saaty scale achieving a quantitative hierarchy, which shows whether the decision guarantees quality, does not guarantee quality or is not acceptable. For its application, other existing decision processes used in the petroleum industry were located, from their common components a standardized decision analysis process was created, the common components are appropriate frame, objectives, decision and alternatives, risk and uncertainty, possibilities and modelling, values and exchanges and implementation and each of them subdivided into key aspects that are object of the measurement and evaluation. The objective set in a first stage was the proposed model of the measurement scale of decision quality and is subject to future validation work to verify its applicability in real life in a second stage

Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater: Analysis of the Past and Present Global Research Activities

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the Pre-doctoral Contract for the Training of Research Staff under the 2019 Research and Transfer Plan (PPIT2019).Water pollution is a worldwide problem. Water consumption increases at a faster rate than population and this leads to a higher pollution rate. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) include proposals aimed at ensuring the availability of clean water and its sustainable management (Goal 6), as well as the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and seas. The current trend consists in trying to reconcile economic growth with sustainability, avoiding the negative externalities for the environment generated by human activity. More specifically, the objective of this article is to present the evolution of the research regarding the removal of polluting pharmaceuticals that are discharged into wastewater. To do that, a bibliometric analysis of 2938 articles comprising the period 1979–2020 has been carried out. This analysis includes productivity indicators in the scientific field: journals, authors, research institutions and countries. In addition, keyword analysis allows the identification of four main axes of the research regarding the removal of pharmaceutical residues found in wastewater. The first group of articles is aimed at identifying the pharmaceuticals present in polluting effluents. The second and third groups of articles focus on presenting the procedures that enable the treatment of emerging contaminants, either from a biological point of view (second group) or a physicochemical point of view (third group). The fourth group refers to water quality and its possibilities to be reused. Finally, there is a growing trend of worldwide scientific publications, which justifies the importance of polluting residues management, especially those of pharmaceutical origin, in order to achieve a more sustainable society