Watershed regulation and local action: analysis of the Senegal River watershed management by a regional organisation and public participation

International audienceSeveral social scientists have dealt with the usefulness of a participative approach in development plans. The call for sustainable development has increased the focus on this type of approach in a very classical way, which is the case for the creation of new water tanks. Most of these scientists have also pinpointed the major difficulties and failures faced during the execution of this new approach in developing countries. This study is a concrete example which underlines the lack of this type of approach as far as water management in the Senegal River is concerned, mainly in relation to watershed. We base our study on the analysis and criticism of the regional organization OMVS (Organization for the Development of the Senegal River) which is in charge of water management in the Senegal River. The results of the study can, therefore, be summed up as follows: (i) An on-site direct observation, individual interviews, group discussion and information analysis point out the lack of participation of local people in water management in the Senegal River and, in general, the harmful socio-economic impacts resulting from it. (ii) The reasons for this lack of participative approach are mainly due to the model set up by the OMVS in terms of water management in the Senegal River, a model that has excluded or tackled in a very light way the issue of public participation in decision-making through out its juridical and regulation instruments. (iii) Elements of consideration on some measures, which could possibly improve the level of participation of local people in river water management

Search for exchange-antisymmetric two-photon states

Atomic two-photon J=0 $\leftrightarrow$J'=1 transitions are forbidden for photons of the same energy. This selection rule is related to the fact that photons obey Bose-Einstein statistics. We have searched for small violations of this selection rule by studying transitions in atomic Ba. We set a limit on the probability $v$ that photons are in exchange-antisymmetric states: $v<1.2\cdot10^{-7}$.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, ReVTeX and .eps. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett. Revised version 9/25/9

Podolsky Electromagnetism at Finite Temperature: Implications on Stefan-Boltzmann Law

In this work we study Podolsky electromagnetism in thermodynamic equilibrium. We show that a Podolsky mass-dependent modification to the Stefan-Boltzmann law is induced and we use experimental data to limit the possible values for this free parameter.Comment: 13 pages, submitted to Physical Review

Performance and carcass traits of crossbred cattle raised in pastures supplemented or not with virginiamycin.

he aim of this study was to assess performance and carcass traits of crossbred cattle raised grazing tropical grasses, receiving supplement with or without virginiamycin (VM). Steers (n = 49) and heifers (n = 56) produced from matting Nellore, ½ Nellore x ½ Angus and ½ Nellore x ½ Caracu dams with Braford, Charbray and Caracu sires were raised grazing tropical grasses ( Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) from 9 to 20 mo of age. The animals were divided into eight paddocks of eight hectares each, with care to form groups containing individuals of all genetic groups and balanced in age and average body weight (BW). During the dry season (July to October) cattle received protein supplements containing (n = 52) or not VM (n = 53), formulated for intake of 1 g kg -1 of BW and during the rainy season (November to June) cattle received mineral mixtures containing (n = 52) or not VM (n = 53). The VM was included in the supplements to provide an intake of 45 mg 100 kg -1 of BW. Supplements were provided in open troughs ad libitum and intake was evaluated by weighing monthly leftovers

Slowing and cooling molecules and neutral atoms by time-varying electric field gradients

A method of slowing, accelerating, cooling, and bunching molecules and neutral atoms using time-varying electric field gradients is demonstrated with cesium atoms in a fountain. The effects are measured and found to be in agreement with calculation. Time-varying electric field gradient slowing and cooling is applicable to atoms that have large dipole polarizabilities, including atoms that are not amenable to laser slowing and cooling, to Rydberg atoms, and to molecules, especially polar molecules with large electric dipole moments. The possible applications of this method include slowing and cooling thermal beams of atoms and molecules, launching cold atoms from a trap into a fountain, and measuring atomic dipole polarizabilities.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures. Scheduled for publication in Nov. 1 Phys. Rev.

Crossbreeding applied to systems of beef cattle production to improve performance traits and carcass quality.

Crossbreeding represents an important technique to improve growth, beef quality and adaptability in beef production systems in tropical countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate sire and dam breed effects on performance and carcass traits of crossbred cattle produced in a tropical environment. Heifers and steers were evaluated during the pre-weaning, the post-weaning (n = 173) and the finishing phase (n = 123). Animals were produced by mating Nellore (N_N), Angus × Nellore (A_N) and Caracu × Nellore (C_N) dams with Braford, Charbray and Caracu sires. After weaning, animals were raised grazing on Marandu grass for 12 months; thereafter they were housed in individual pens and finished in a feedlot, receiving a total mixed ration. Ultrasound carcass evaluations were performed to determine ribeye area (R_A), backfat thickness (B_T) and rump fat thickness (R_T). A_N progeny were heavier at birth than N_N (P 0.05). Progeny of N_N cows had greater B_T (P 0.05). A_N progeny were superior in final B_T compared to C_N (P < 0.01), and Braford progeny had greater R_T at the end of finishing than Charbray (P = 0.05). The use of crossbred dams allows an increase in productivity until weaning, but this is not maintained in the post-weaning and finishing periods. The use of Braford sires produces similar growth performance in the different stages of the production system to those seen with Charbray and Caracu sires but generates animals with higher fat thickness at the end of finishing, which may improve carcass quality and commercial value

Effect of sire breed on carcass and beef quality of crossbred cattle.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sire breed on beef quality of crossbred cattle. Steers (n=74) and heifers (n=71) produced along two years from mating Nellore, ½ Nellore x ½ Angus and ½ Nellore x ½ Caracu dams with Braford (BF), Charbray (CC) and Caracu (CR) sires were raised grazing tropical grasses until 20 months (mo) of age, finished in feedlot for 4 mo and harvested at 546 ± 60 kg live weight. Hot carcass weight (HCW) and c rcass dressing percentage (CD) were measured at slaughter. Following 24- hour chill, ultimate pH (pH), Longissimus marbling score (12th-13th ribs section), carcass backfat score (1 to 5) and backfat distribution (1 to 3) were evaluated. Longissimus samples were analyzed for Warner Bratzler shear force (SF) after aging for 0 and 7 day (d) as well as Hunter L*, a* and b* values after aging for 7d. Data were analyzed using mixed model methodology. HCW was greater for CC (P0.05), however CC progenies had greater CD (P0.05), however BF progenies had greater backfat distribution score than CC (P0.05). Charbray breed is related to heavier carcasses and possibly with greater dressing percentage whereas Braford breed is associated with better carcass backfat distribution. All sire breeds had similar qualitative attributes of meat

Carcass traits of crossbred steers surgically castrated or immunocastrated.

The aim of this study was to evaluate carcass traits of crossbred steers surgically castrated or immunocastrated. Steers produced along two years from mating Nellore, 1/2 Nellore x 1/2 Angus and 1/2 Nellore x 1/2 Caracu dams with Braford, Charbray and Caracu sires were raised grazing tropical grasses until 20 months of age (n = 80; 40 per treatment; five of each genetic group per treatment), finished feedlot for 4 months (n = 64; 32 per treatment; four of each genetic group per treatment), and harvested at 570 ? 63 kg of body weight. The immunocastration protocol was performed in three applications of vaccine Bopriva (Zoetis; 1 ml subcutaneous each application), targeting the complete castration effect, obtained in the 2nd dose, at 14 months of age, when was also performed surgical castration of the other steers, so that all animals were castrated at the same age. Ultrasound scanning was performed at the beginning and end of the growing period to determine ribeye area (REAi / REAf), backfat thickness (BFTi / BFTf) and rump fat thickness (RFTi / RFTf). Hot carcass weight (HCW) and carcass dressing (CD) were measured at slaughter. Following 24-h chill, Longissimus marbling score (12th-13th ribs section), carcass backfat score (BFS), REAsl and BFTsl were evaluated. Longissimus samples were analyzed for Warner Bratzler shear force (SF) following 0d and 7d aging as well as Hunter L*, a* and b* values following 7d aging. Data were analyzed under a mixed model with sire and dam genetic group (and its iteration), birth season, castration method and backgrounding paddock as fixed effects, and sire nested in sire genetic group as random effect. There were no differences on BFTi, RFTi and RFTf (P > 0.05), however, there was tendency (P 0.05) among animals. The REAsl was superior for immunocastrated steers (81.8 vs. 76.5 cm2; P 0.05). Immunocastration can be used as alternative for surgical castration to improve backfat thickness, however it can negatively affect marbling in crossbred steers. - See more at: https://proceedings.galoa.com.br/imas/papers/carcass-traits-of-crossbred-steers-surgically-castrated-or-immunocastrated#sthash.wVsCYEpG.dpu

Effect of sire breed on carcass traits measured via ultrasound of crossbred cattle during feedlot

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sire breed on carcass traits measured via ultrasound of crossbred cattle during feedlot. Steers (n=74) and heifers (n=71) produced along two years mating Nellore, ½ Nellore x ½ Angus and ½ Nellore x ½ Caracu dams with Braford (BF), Charbray (CC) and Caracu (CR) were raised grazing tropical grasses until 20 months (mo) of age and then finished in feedlot for 4 mo. Animals with 3 80 ± 49 kg of initial body eight were kept in individual pens and received a total mixed ration containing 74% of Total Digestible Nutrients and 13 % of Crude Protein . Ultrasound carcass scanning was performed in the beginning and end weighings of the feedlot to determine Longissimus ribeye area (REA i and REA f ), Longissimus backfat thickness (BFT i and BFT f ) and rump fat thickness (RFT i and RFT f ). Data were analyzed using mixed model methodology. There were no sire breed effects on REA i and REA f (P>0.05). Progenies of BF, CC and CR obtained average gains in muscle of 10.6 cm 2 , 12.2 cm 2 e 7.9 cm 2 , respectively. No differences (P>0.05) for BFT i and BFT f were found between progenies of BF (4.7 e 8.2 mm), CC 4.1 e 7.8 mm) and CR sires (4.4 e 7.7 mm). Sire breed did not influence on RFT i , however BF progenies had greater RFT f than CC progenies (11.3 vs. 8.9 mm; P<0.10), CR group was intermediate (10.3 mm). Braford breed has superiority in rump fat hickness at the end of feedlot compared to Charbray breed, both being similar to Caracu. The evaluated sire breeds are viable alternatives to be used in crossbreeding programs, presenting carcasses with good qualit

HSP90 is essential for Jak-STAT signaling in classical Hodgkin lymphoma cells

In classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) chemotherapeutic regimens are associated with stagnant rates of secondary malignancies requiring the development of new therapeutic strategies. We and others have shown that permanently activated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) molecules are essential for cHL cells. Recently an overexpression of heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) in cHL cells has been shown and inhibition of HSP90 seems to affect cHL cell survival. Here we analysed the effects of HSP90 inhibition by geldanamycin derivative 17-AAG or RNA interference (RNAi) on aberrant Jak-STAT signaling in cHL cells. Treatment of cHL cell lines with 17-AAG led to reduced cell proliferation and a complete inhibition of STAT1, -3, -5 and -6 tyrosine phosphorylation probably as a result of reduced protein expression of Janus kinases (Jaks). RNAi-mediated inhibition of HSP90 showed similar effects on Jak-STAT signaling in L428 cHL cells. These results suggest a central role of HSP90 in permanently activated Jak-STAT signaling in cHL cells. Therapeutics targeting HSP90 may be a promising strategy in cHL and other cancer entities associated with deregulated Jak-STAT pathway activation