A First Search for coincident Gravitational Waves and High Energy Neutrinos using LIGO, Virgo and ANTARES data from 2007

We present the results of the first search for gravitational wave bursts associated with high energy neutrinos. Together, these messengers could reveal new, hidden sources that are not observed by conventional photon astronomy, particularly at high energy. Our search uses neutrinos detected by the underwater neutrino telescope ANTARES in its 5 line configuration during the period January - September 2007, which coincided with the fifth and first science runs of LIGO and Virgo, respectively. The LIGO-Virgo data were analysed for candidate gravitational-wave signals coincident in time and direction with the neutrino events. No significant coincident events were observed. We place limits on the density of joint high energy neutrino - gravitational wave emission events in the local universe, and compare them with densities of merger and core-collapse events.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures, science summary page at http://www.ligo.org/science/Publication-S5LV_ANTARES/index.php. Public access area to figures, tables at https://dcc.ligo.org/cgi-bin/DocDB/ShowDocument?docid=p120000

Remote sensing of water quality parameters over Alqueva reservoir in the south of Portugal

In this study, the potential of MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) to describe variations of optically active substances over Alqueva artificial lake is investigated. Limnological laboratory analyses of the water samples collected monthly, from 2003 to 2006, are used in combination with MERIS. The water surface spectral reflectance is derived from Level1b MERIS data, using radiative transfer calculations to account for the atmospheric effects. The lake water spectral surface reflectance is combined with laboratory analyses of cyanobacteria total densities as well as chlorophyll a concentrations and empirical algorithms for both quantities are derived. The results obtained are compared with independent laboratory analyses from 2007, with good correlation coefficients obtained both for cyanobacteria (R ¼ 0.93) and chlorophyll a (R ¼ 0.80). The methodology proposed here has been developed to inexpensively monitor Alqueva Reservoir water quality in terms of cyanobacteria and chlorophyll a on a regular basis, and to provide useful information to the authorities

Análise de sensibilidade da margem bruta da receita e dos custos do confinamento de diferentes grupos genéticos Gross margin sensitivity analyses of the income and costs of feedlot for different genetic groups

Análises de sensibilidade da margem bruta foram realizadas com dados de desempenho e custos de 149 animais confinados por períodos variáveis de acordo com acabamento de carcaça dos grupos genéticos: Nelore sobreano, Nelore desmamado, ½ Valdostana ½ Nelore, ½ Simental ½ Nelore, ½ Braford ½ Brangus, ½ Braford ¼ Angus ¼ Nelore, Brangus, ½ Canchim ¼ Angus ¼ Nelore e ½ Canchim ¼ Simental ¼ Nelore. Sensibilidade da margem bruta foi realizada com variações nos preços de venda da carne e de compra do milho, soja, silagem de milho e boi magro, mantendo-se os demais preços fixos. Com o preço da carne a 0,99 US$/kg, o Nelore sobreano foi mais eficiente nas variações do milho, soja e silagem de milho; Brangus foi mais eficiente nas variações do preço de compra do boi. Com preço da carne a 1,27 US$/kg, a margem bruta foi positiva para todos grupos genéticos nas variações do milho, soja e silagem de milho, exceto Nelore desmamado. Na variação de preços de compra do boi, apenas Brangus apresentou margem bruta positiva. A margem bruta foi mais sensível às variações no preço de compra dos animais do que no preço de venda da carne.<br>Gross margin sensitivity analyses based on costs and feedlot performances of 149 steers of different genetic groups were performed. The genetic groups consisted of yearling Nellore, weaned Nellore, ½ Valdostana ½ Nellore, ½ Simmental ½ Nellore, ½ Braford ½ Brangus,½ Braford ¼ Angus ¼ Nellore, Brangus, ½ Canchim ¼ Angus ¼ Nellore and ½ Canchim ¼ Simmental ¼ Nellore. The gross margin sensitivity analyses were performed considering fluctuation of beef selling price, and buying price fluctuations of corn, soybean, corn silage and steers, maintaining all the remained costs fixed. For beef selling price of .99 US$/kg yearling Nellore was more efficient for fluctuation prices of corn and soybean, corn silage and the genetic group Brangus was more efficient for fluctuation of beef buying prices. For beef selling price of 1.27 US$/kg, the gross margin was positive for all genetic group, except the weaned Nellore for corn, soybean and corn silage buying price fluctuations; Brangus group showed positive gross margin for all animal buying price fluctuations. The animal gross margin showed more sensitivity to the buying price fluctuations in comparison to the animal selling price fluctuations