Variability of rainfall and temperature (1912-2008) parameters measured from Santa Maria (29 degrees 41 ' S, 53 degrees 48 ' W) and their connections with ENSO and solar activity

In this work, we analyze the long term variability of rainfall and temperature (1912-2008) of Santa Maria (29 degrees S, 53 degrees W) and its possible connection with natural influences such as solar activity and ENSO. Temperature and rainfall present similar frequencies as revealed by spectral analyses. This analysis shows a large number of short periods between 2-8 years and periods of 11.8-12.3, 19.1-21.0, and 64.3-82.5 years. The cross correlation for rainfall and temperature versus Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) have higher cross-power around 2-8 yr. Rainfall and temperature versus sunspot number (Rz) showed higher cross-power around the 11-yr solar cycle period. A high and continuous cross correlation was observed for Rz-22 yr versus rainfall and temperature. Furthermore, the power between 22-yr solar cycle and meteorological parameters was higher than that obtained with the 11-yr solar cycle, suggesting that the effect of Hale cycle on climate may be stronger than the Schwabe cycle effect. These results indicate that the variability of rainfall and temperature is closely related to the variation of the Southern Oscillation Index and solar activity, and that the El Nino Southern Oscillation and solar activity probably play an important role in the climate system over Southern Brazil. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.CNPq [APQ470252/2009-0, APQ470455/2010-1, 301033/2009-9, 151609/2009-8]FAPERGS [1013273]FAPESP [2009/02907-8]CAPE

Defining the leeway for business cooperation: remaining peculiarities under German competition law after its Europeanisation

his paper provides an overview of remaining national peculiarities after the alignment of the German competition law rules on cooperation between businesses with EU competition law. The focus lies on Section 3 of the German Competition Act which provides firms with extended leeway for cooperation in order to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, the paper explores to what extent Section 30 of the German Competition Act exempts certain forms of cooperation that concern the distribution of newspapers and magazines from the prohibition of restrictive agreements pursuant to Section 1 of the German Competition Act and (partly even) Article 101 TFEU