A note on ensiling characteristics of the tropical grass Setaria sphacelata var. splendida (Stapf).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ensiling characteristics of Setaria sphacelata var. splendida (S. splendida) and to identify ensilability limiting factors of this tropical grass, locally produced

Antimicrobial susceptibility assessment of Campylobacter on outdoor iberian pig sows

Both Campylobacter and Salmonella are considered the most frequent bacterial causes of human enteritis in industrialized countries. The consumption of raw or undercooked poultry and pork contaminated meat products are the main sources of human infection. The prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella was determined in the present work for extensive production Iberian pig sows, Sus mediterraneus. Samples were collected at the maternity area of a creator from, water drinkers, feed and feed containers as well as from sows faecal matter. Of 42 samples, 31 and 23 carried Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. respectively. Only Salmonella spp. was found in all 3 tested water and feed containers. Of the 58 isolated Campylobacter strains only one was identified, by multiplex-PCR, as Campylobacter jejuni, all other were C. coli. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed by disc diffusion method with Nalidixic acid, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol and Ampicilin. While 95% of the tested strains were susceptible to chloramphenicol, 66% and 53% were resistant to the tested fluoroquinolones, Ciprofloxacin and Nalidixic acid respectively. Erythromycin resistance was fairly low in comparison to previous publications with 14% of resistant strains. 38% were resistant to Tetracycline and 57% to Ampicilin. Seven of the 58 Campylobacter strains were entirely susceptible and none were resistant to all the antimicrobials tested. Multiple drug resistance was found in 88% of strains. Cross contamination may occur between sows inside maternity facilities and piglets may become infected in an early age by their mothers. New and better control measures are therefore necessary to minimize transmission between animals reducing the number of contaminated individuals and the potential transmission to human handlers and consumers

Controlo de um gerador hidroeléctrico utilizado na recuperação de energia numa conduta de abastecimento de água

O presente trabalho pretende contribuir para a melhoria da eficiência dos sistemas de transporte e distribuição de água, possível de conseguir através da recuperação de energia potencial que, em certas situações, existe em excesso em condutas gravíticas. Sendo uma questão já abordada em diversos estudos, as poupanças de energia a que poderá conduzir, justificam a análise de todas as oportunidades, em especial no nosso País, cuja dependência energética do exterior é bem conhecida. Todavia, a implementação de soluções que recorrem à instalação de turbinas em condutas de abastecimento de água, causam naturalmente alguma apreensão às respectivas entidades gestoras, uma vez que pode pôr em causa a integridade das condutas e, em consequência, o abastecimento de água. Neste contexto, o estudo de modelos de controlo específicos para os referidos equipamentos poderá ser um contributo para a implementação mais alargada das soluções de melhoria da eficiência de sistemas de abastecimento de água, através da instalação de geradores hidroeléctricos, que terão a dupla função de controlo de caudal e produção de energia. O estudo e simulação dos modelos de controlo contidos neste trabalho permite concluir que é possível garantir a segurança das condutas e produzir energia eléctrica com turbinas nelas instaladas. Interessa assim aprofundar este tipo de estudos de forma a conseguir modelos de controlo que, com as premissas indicadas, possibilitem a optimização da produção de energia

Philip Morris in a dying industry - leaving competitors fuming

This report is an equity valuation of Philip Morris International Inc., the tobacco company leading the transition to a smoke-free future. For this, both a relative valuation based on multiples and transactions as well as an intrinsic valuation in the form of a DCF model were completed. The calculated target share price of $108.16 represents a Buy recommendation with a potential total return on investment of 10.79% including the dividend yield. Particularly given PMI's evolving business strategy and clear future focus on risk-reduced products, the company’s competitive position was highly valued. In addition, scenario and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate potential outcomes of assumption deviation

The extended minimal geometric deformation of SU(NN) dark glueball condensates

The extended minimal geometric deformation (EMGD) procedure, in the holographic membrane paradigm, is employed to model stellar distributions that arise upon self-interacting scalar glueball dark matter condensation. Such scalar glueballs are SU($N$) Yang-Mills hidden sectors beyond the Standard Model. Then, corrections to the gravitational wave radiation, emitted by SU($N$) EMGD dark glueball stars mergers, are derived, and their respective spectra are studied in the EMGD framework, due to a phenomenological brane tension with finite value. The bulk Weyl fluid that drives the EMGD is then proposed to be experimentally detected by enhanced windows at the eLISA and LIGO.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

The impact of China's integration in the global economy: Chinese special economic zones in Africa

China's rapid economic growth has been one of the most contentious issues in the world economy, where the role of the Special Economic Zones has been highlighted as strategic. This study aims at knowing and analyzing the implementation of China's Special Economic Zones in Africa, motivations, and problems related. This research focuses on understanding why China invests mainly outside instead of investing in its own social, environmental and economic problems. It further aims at checking the impact of the Sino-Africa relationship in issues of diplomacy, trade, development, and if this investment in Africa can be understood as a "modern colonialism". In the literature review, China's integration models such as WTO accessions and FDI growth are studied. Special Economic Zones definition, evolution and goals are studied, as well as the main drivers of Chinese SEZ in Africa. In the empirical study, we appeal to a qualitative methodology divided into two phases: one based in a document analysis, the other based on interviews to gather opinions from Chinese people "on the ground", with a focus on Angola case. The conclusions of this study indicate that SEZs play a crucial role in China's integration in the global economy, suggesting that can be understood as a tool to penetrate in other countries and take economic advantage of their role. On the other hand, many scholars argue that China has done nothing but helping others with their knowledge and power.O rápido crescimento económico da China tem sido um dos temas da economia mundial mais discutidos, onde o papel das Zonas Económicas Especiais tem sido destacado como estratégico. Este estudo visa conhecer e analisar a implementação das Zonas Económicas Especiais da China em África, motivações e problemas relacionados. Esta pesquisa concentra-se em entender porque é que a China investe sobretudo fora, em vez de investir nos seus próprios problemas sociais, ambientais e económicos. Além disso, procura entender o impacto da relação sino-africana em questões de diplomacia, comércio e desenvolvimento, e se este investimento em África pode ser entendido como um "colonialismo moderno". Na revisão da literatura, são estudados os modelos de integração da China, tais como a adesão à OMC e crescimento do IDE. A definição, a evolução e os objetivos das Zonas Económicas Especiais são estudados, bem como os principais impulsionadores das ZEEs chinesas em África. No estudo empírico, recorremos a uma metodologia qualitativa dividida em duas fases: uma baseada em uma análise documental, a outra baseada em pesquisas para recolher opiniões de Chineses “no terreno”, com foco no caso de Angola. As conclusões deste estudo indicam que as Zonas Económicas Especiais desempenham um papel crucial na integração da China na economia global, sugerindo que isso pode ser entendido como uma ferramenta para penetrar noutros países e tirar vantagem económica do seu papel. Por outro lado, muitos estudiosos argumentam que a China não fez nada além de ajudar os outros com o seu conhecimento e poder

Extended quantum portrait of MGD black holes and information entropy

The extended minimal geometric deformation (EMGD) is employed on the fluid membrane paradigm, to describe compact stellar objects as Bose--Einstein condensates (BEC) consisting of gravitons. The black hole quantum portrait, besides deriving a preciser phenomenological bound for the fluid brane tension, is then scrutinized from the point of view of the configurational entropy. It yields a range for the critical density of the EMGD BEC, whose configurational entropy has global minima suggesting the configurational stability of the EMGD BEC.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, matches the published versio

Ecological payback in national energy matrix: analysis of wind energy expansion

Sustainable development concern has become subject of recurrent discussions over the last years due to the duet large greenhouse gases emissions and world growth, especially in developing countries. Electrical sector is one of the major segments responsible for greenhouse gases emissions, but also the one in which modern society depends the most for life standard maintenance, economic and social activities. A renewable source considered in Brazilian energy sector expansion is wind power, which has a 143 GW potential. As such, the paper aims to estimate environmental impacts (CO2 emission) involved in wind power plants construction phase and return time for compensating these emissions during operation. Ecological payback is developed through CO2 emission analysis of different energy sectors required as inputs in construction and final emission reduction due to this “clean” power plant operation in national electrical matrix. Estimation of economic and environmental impacts is based on input-output methodology, using a 2004 matrix for Brazilian economy. Results point out for a maximum payback period of 4 months in worst case scenario, and major pollution contribution of Steel and Products Manufacturing during construction.Input-Output; Environmental Sustainability; Energy Economics; Wind Energy

Ecological payback in Brazil energy matrix: analysis of a wind energy expansion

Sustainable development concern has become subject of recurrent discussions over the last years due to the duet large greenhouse gases emissions and world growth, especially in developing countries. Electrical sector is one of the major segments responsible for greenhouse gases emissions, but also the one in which modern society depends the most for life standard maintenance, economic and social activities. A renewable source considered in Brazilian energy sector expansion is wind power, which has a 143 GW potential. As such, the paper aims to estimate environmental impacts (CO2 emission) involved in wind power plants construction phase and return time for compensating these emissions during operation. Ecological payback is developed through CO2 emission analysis of different energy sectors required as inputs in construction and final emission reduction due to this “clean” power plant operation in national electrical matrix. Estimation of economic and environmental impacts is based on input-output methodology, using a 2004 matrix for Brazilian economy. Results point out for a maximum payback period of 4 months in worst case scenario, and major pollution contribution of Steel and Products Manufacturing during construction.Input-Output; Environmental Sustainability; Energy Economics; Wind Energy; Brazil