Agriculture : can sustainability practices enhance firm competitiveness? : a case study

This dissertation is a case study on a Portuguese example on how sustainability practices enhances the competitiveness of the firm. The case is kept anonymous, but it deals with a fruit producing company in the South of Portugal that exports almost all of its production to Northern European countries. We aim to research the extent of sustainability in agriculture and its relationship with the competitive advantage. Therefore, through a qualitative approach, a semi structured interview was conducted with the CEO of an agriculture company. Moreover, a standardized Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) questionnaire was answered to access the company level of compliance with sustainability practices. The gathered data, has shown that even though there is an agreement with the definition followed in the literature review, there is an appropriation to suit the company interests. Furthermore, the questionnaire revealed that the company in this case study presents a high level of sustainability. Regarding, the competitive advantage, it was discovered that a differentiation strategy based on the resource based view is the one that best leverages practices into a superior performance. In the last years the topic sustainability has become a tendency, however there was a lack of research in the connection with competitive advantage. This dissertation provides a different point of view about sustainability connecting both concepts, based on the evaluation of a Portuguese agriculture company.Esta dissertação é um estudo de caso sobre uma empresa Portuguesa e aborda o seguinte tema: como é que as práticas de sustentabilidade melhoram a competitividade de uma empresa. O caso é anónimo, mas considera uma produtora de frutos, a sul de Portugal que exporta praticamente toda a sua produção para os países a norte da Europa. O nosso objetivo com esta dissertação é estudar o nível de sustentabilidade na agricultura, bem como a relação com uma vantagem competitiva Desta forma e através de uma análise qualitativa, foi feita uma entrevista semiestruturada a um diretor geral de uma empresa do setor agrícola. Para além disso, foi elaborado um questionário que permite analisar os níveis de conformidade entre a empresa e as suas práticas sustentáveis. Através dos métodos descritos, foi possível demonstrar que apesar de haver concordância entre a definição de sustentabilidade da revisão de literatura, existe também uma apropriação da definição de modo a favorecer os interesses da empresa. Com a análise do questionário foi possível constatar que a empresa em estudo tem elevados níveis de sustentabilidade. Quanto à vantagem competitiva, foi concluído que uma estratégia de diferenciação baseada na Resource Based View é a melhor forma transformar as práticas sustentáveis num desempenho superior. Nos últimos anos o valor dado à temática da sustentabilidade tem vindo a aumentar, no entanto ainda existe pouca informação quanto à sua relação com uma vantagem competitiva. Esta dissertação permite ao leitor ter um ponto de vista diferente quanto à sustentabilidade, baseado numa perspetiva empresarial

High-Definition Optical Coherence Tomography for the in vivo Detection of Demodex Mites

Background: Demodex mites are involved in different skin diseases and are commonly detected by skin scrape tests or superficial biopsies. A new high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) with high lateral and axial resolution in a horizontal (en-face) and vertical (slice) imaging mode might offer the possibility of noninvasive and fast in vivo examination of demodex mites. Methods: Twenty patients with demodex-related skin diseases and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were examined by HD-OCT. Mites per follicle and follicles per field of view were counted and compared to skin scrape tests. Results: HD-OCT images depicted mites in the en-face mode as bright round dots in groups of 3-5 mites per hair follicle. In the patients with demodex-related disease, a mean number of 3.4 mites per follicle were detected with a mean number of 2.9 infested follicles per area of view compared to a mean of 0.6 mites in 0.4 infested follicles in the controls. The skin scrape tests were negative in 21% of the patients. Conclusion: The innovative HD-OCT enables fast and noninvasive in vivo recognition of demodex mites and might become a useful tool in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of demodex-related skin diseases. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

Autonomic fiber sprouting in the skin in chronic inflammation

Pain is a major symptom associated with chronic inflammation. In previous work from our laboratory, we have shown that in animal models of neuropathic pain there is a sprouting of sympathetic fibers into the upper dermis, a territory normally devoid of them. However, it is not known whether such sympathetic spouting, which is likely trophic factor mediated, also occurs in chronic inflammation and arthritis. In the present study, we used a rat model of chronic inflammation in which a small single dose of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was injected subcutaneously, unilaterally, into the plantar surface of the hindpaw. This led to a localized long-term skin inflammation and arthritis in all joints of the hindpaw. Animals were perfused with histological fixatives at 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks after the injection. Experimental animals treated with CFA were compared to saline-injected animals. We then investigated the changes in the pattern of peripheral innervation of the peptidergic nociceptors and sympathetic fibers in rat glabrous hindpaw skin. Antibodies directed towards calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) were used for the staining of peptidergic and sympathetic fibers, respectively. Immunofluorescence was then used to analyze the different nerve fiber populations of the upper dermis. At 4 weeks following CFA treatment, DBH-immunoreactive (IR) fibers were found to sprout into the upper dermis, in a pattern similar to the one we had observed in animals with a chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in a previous publication. There was also a significant increase in the density of CGRP-IR fibers in the upper dermis in CFA treated animals at 2, 3 and 4 weeks post-injection. The increased peptidergic fiber innervation and the ectopic autonomic fibers found in the upper dermis may have a role in the pain-related behavior displayed by these animals

Elucidating the real-time Ag nanoparticle growth on alpha-Ag2WO4 during electron beam irradiation: experimental evidence and theoretical insights

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORWhy and how Ag is formed when electron beam irradiation takes place on alpha-Ag2WO4 in a vacuum transmission electron microscopy chamber? To find an answer, the atomic-scale mechanisms underlying the formation and growth of Ag on alpha-Ag2WO4 have been investigated by detailed in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) studies, density functional theory based calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The growth process at different times, chemical composition, size distribution and element distribution were analyzed in depth at the nanoscale level using FE-SEM, operated at different voltages (5, 10, 15, and 20 kV), and TEM with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) characterization. The size of Ag nanoparticles covers a wide range of values. Most of the Ag particles are in the 20-40 nm range. The nucleation and formation of Ag on alpha-Ag2WO4 is a result of structural and electronic changes in the AgOx (x = 2,4, 6, and 7) clusters used as constituent building blocks of this material, consistent with metallic Ag formation. First principle calculations point out that Ag-3 and Ag-4-fold coordinated centers, located in the sub-surface of the (100) surface, are the most energetically favorable to undergo the diffusion process to form metallic Ag. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and the nudged elastic band (NEB) method were used to investigate the minimum energy pathways of these Ag atoms from positions in the first slab layer to outward sites on the (100) surface of alpha-Ag2WO4. The results point out that the injection of electrons decreases the activation barrier for this diffusion step and this unusual behavior results from the presence of a lower energy barrier process.Why and how Ag is formed when electron beam irradiation takes place on alpha-Ag2WO4 in a vacuum transmission electron microscopy chamber? To find an answer, the atomic-scale mechanisms underlying the formation and growth of Ag on alpha-Ag2WO4 have been investigated by detailed in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) studies, density functional theory based calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The growth process at different times, chemical composition, size distribution and element distribution were analyzed in depth at the nanoscale level using FE-SEM, operated at different voltages (5, 10, 15, and 20 kV), and TEM with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) characterization. The size of Ag nanoparticles covers a wide range of values. Most of the Ag particles are in the 20-40 nm range. The nucleation and formation of Ag on alpha-Ag2WO4 is a result of structural and electronic changes in the AgOx (x = 2,4, 6, and 7) clusters used as constituent building blocks of this material, consistent with metallic Ag formation. First principle calculations point out that Ag-3 and Ag-4-fold coordinated centers, located in the sub-surface of the (100) surface, are the most energetically favorable to undergo the diffusion process to form metallic Ag. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and the nudged elastic band (NEB) method were used to investigate the minimum energy pathways of these Ag atoms from positions in the first slab layer to outward sites on the (100) surface of alpha-Ag2WO4. The results point out that the injection of electrons decreases the activation barrier for this diffusion step and this unusual behavior results from the presence of a lower energy barrier process.17753525359FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP [2013/07296-2, 2012/14468-1, 2010/16970-0, 2013/02032-7]CNPq [573636/2008-7, 150753/2013-6]CAPES [088/2013]2010/16970-02012/14468-12013/02032-72013/07296-2573636/2008-7150753/2013-6088/2013The authors are grateful to Prometeo/2009/053 (GeneralitatValenciana), Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Spain), CTQ2012-36253-C03-02, Spanish Brazilian program (PHB2009-0065-PC), FAPESP (Project 2013/07296-2) (Project 2012/14468-1) (Project 2010/16970-0), grant (2013/02032-7), CAPES and CNPq (Project 573636/2008-7, Grant 150753/2013-6) and CAPES (Project 088/2013) for financially supporting this research. Most of the calculations were performed using IFGW-UNICAMP computer facilities and the National Center for High Performance Computing in São Paulo (CENAPAD-SP). We also acknowledge the Servei Informática, Universitat Jaume I, for the generous allotment of computer time

Korea-United States Air Quality (KORUS-AQ) Campaign

The Korea-United States Air Quality (KORUS-AQ) campaign was an international cooperative field study based out of Osan Air Base, Songtan, South Korea (about 60 kilometers south of Seoul) in April-June 2016. A comprehensive suite of instruments capable of measuring atmospheric composition was deployed around the Korean peninsula on aircrafts, ships, and at ground sites in order to characterize local and transboundary pollution. The NASA Goddard Earth Observing System, version 5 (GEOS-5) forecast model was used for near real time meteorological and aerosol forecasting and flight planning during the KORUS-AQ campaign. Evaluation of GEOS-5 against observations from the campaign will help to identify inaccuracies in the models physical and chemical processes in this region within East Asia and lead to further developments of the modeling system

Avaliação do desempenho de um pivo central da baixa pressão equipado com tubos de descida.

At the Corn and Sorghum National Research Center in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais State, an evaluation was made of the performance of a low pressure central pivot equipped with drop sparay, operating at 100% of its displacement capacity. The tests carried out were the following: without drop spray; drop spray of 1.2m; 2.0m and 2.6m lenght. For each test, the uniformity coefficients of Christiansen (CUC) and distribution (CUD), the application efficiency, in potential (EPa), and the highest precipitation intensity were determined. It was concluded that: The lenght of drop spray did not affect distribution uniformity; The collected water plate at the end of the pivot line showed a large variation; Topographic characteristics influenced distribution uniformity; Drop spray increased application efficiency, in potential, reducing pressure at the diffusor exit. Proximity of the diffusor to the ground decreased the covering diameter and increase precipitation density

Força de adesão de brackets ortodônticos a compósito, utilizando diferentes sistemas adesivos e diferentes preparações de superfície

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Universitário Egas MonizObjetivo: Comparar a força de adesão de brackets ortodônticos a resinas compostas, utilizando as preparações de superfície de ácido ortofosfórico a 35% e jato de óxido de alumínio, e os sistemas adesivos Transbond™ XT e Assure® Plus All. Materiais e Métodos: Foram realizadas 48 faces vestibulares de pré-molares em resina composta Filtek™ Z250, que posteriormente foram sujeitos a uma termociclagem de 5.000 ciclos com alteração de banhos térmicos entre os 5ºC e 55ºC. A amostra foi dividida em quatro grupos para colagem dos brackets ortodônticos de pré-molares Victory Series™ (3M Unitek), modificando o método de preparação de superfície e o sistema adesivo utilizado. No Grupo 1 utilizou-se o ácido ortofosfórico e o Transbond™ XT, no Grupo 2 utilizou-se o ácido ortofosfórico e o Assure® Plus All, no Grupo 3 utilizou-se o jato de óxido de alumínio e o TransbondTM XT e no Grupo 4 utilizou-se o jato de óxido de alumínio com o Assure® Plus All. Realizou-se nova termociclagem, na qual as amostras foram sujeitas a 10.000 ciclos em água entre os 5ºC e os 55ºC e de seguida, submetidas ao teste de cisalhamento à velocidade de 1mm/min. O local de falha da adesão foi determinado segundo o Índice de Remanescente Adesivo (ARI) modificado. Na análise estatística foram utilizados os testes ANOVA One-way e Kruskal-Wallis (p>0,05). Resultados: As forças médias de adesão obtidas foram 7,10±1,42 MPa, 6,69±1,97 MPa, 8,57±1,10 MPa e 8,75±1,69 MPa, respetivamente para os Grupos 1, 2, 3 e 4. Foram identificadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre o Grupo 2 e Grupo 3 (p=0,028), bem como entre o Grupo 2 e o Grupo 4, (p=0,014). Quanto ao ARI, não se verificaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p=0,283), sendo que em 81,25% dos casos se obteve o score 2. Conclusão: A utilização da preparação de superfície com jato de óxido de alumínio demonstrou-se a mais eficaz em superfícies com resina composta, utilizando ambos os sistemas adesivos estudados.Objective: Compare the bond strength of orthodontic brackets to composite resins, using 35% orthophosphoric acid surface preparations and sandblasting, and the Transbond ™ XT and Assure® Plus All adhesive systems. Materials and Methods: 48 vestibular faces of premolars were made in composite resin Filtek™ Z250, which were subsequently subjected to a thermocycling of 5.000 cycles with changes in thermal baths between 5ºC and 55ºC. The sample was divided into four groups for bonding the Victory Series™ premolar orthodontic brackets (3M Unitek), modifying the surface preparation method and the adhesive system used. In Group 1, orthophosphoric acid and Transbond™ XT were used, in Group 2, orthophosphoric acid and Assure® Plus All were used, in Group 3, sandblast and Transbond™ XT were used and in Group 4 the sandblast was used with the Assure® Plus All. A new thermocycling was performed, in which the samples were subjected to 10.000 cycles in water between 5ºC and 55ºC and then subjected to the shear bond strength at speed of 1mm / min. The adhesion failure site was determined according to the modified Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI). The ANOVA One-way and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis (p>0,05). Results: The average adhesion forces obtained were 7,10 ± 1,42 MPa, 6,69 ± 1,97 MPa, 8,57 ± 1.10 MPa and 8,75 ± 1,69 MPa, respectively for Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4. Statistically significant differences were identified between Group 2 and Group 3 (p=0,028), as well as between Group 2 and Group 4, (p=0,014). As for the ARI, there were no statistically significant differences (p=0,283), with score 2 in 81,25% of the cases. Conclusion: The use of sandblast surface preparation proved to be the most effective on surfaces with composite resin, using both adhesive systems studied

Efeito da temperatura da água de fertilização e incubação na determinação da proporção sexual do jundiá, Rhamdia quelen

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Aquicultura.O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da temperatura da água de fertilização e de incubação na determinação da proporção sexual do jundiá, Rhamdia quelen. Para tanto foram utilizadas três temperaturas de água de fertilização de ovos (19, 25 e 30°C), e para cada uma delas os ovos foram incubados nas temperaturas de 19, 25 e 30°C. O aumento da temperatura reduziu a taxa de fertilização de Rhamdia quelen, enquanto o número final de indivíduos foi reduzido quando a menor temperatura de incubação foi utilizada. As temperaturas de fertilização ou incubação testadas não alteram a proporção entre os sexos

Dignity is said in many ways: a re-reading based on Thomas Aquinas

In dialogue with Xabier Etxeberria on his judgment regarding Thomas Aquinas’ ontology, the present investigation seeks to support another interpretation of the ontology of the dignity of the human person. In accordance with Aristotle, Thomas adheres to the philosophical maxim that being is said in many ways. If being is said in many ways, then being worthy must also be said in many ways in the work of Thomas Aquinas. Based on this assumption, we will analyze the occurrences of the term “dignitas” in the corpus Thomisticum to understand the multiple uses and contexts of being worthy, resolving Etxeberría’s objection