Underpricing in the listing processes: sisal´s case

This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of the under pricing phenomenon. Starting with the description of Sisal, an Italian company operating in the gambling industry, the paper continues with a detailed valuation to define the Enterprise Value. Sisal represents a real case because the listing process started in 2021failed also because of under pricing. In the second part, there is a summary of the literary references of the researchers who have dealt with the subject. This rich literature mainly highlights six reasons, which will also be empirically corroborated by a multiple linear regression

vortex R: an R package for post Vortex simulation analysis

1.Population viability analysis is an important tool for wildlife ecologists, geneticists and managers, which is used for the assessment of extinction risks, the evaluation of threatening processes and the establishment of conservation targets. 2.Vortex is among the leading population modelling software and the latest release includes an automated sensitivity test module. However, an equivalent automation of the post-simulation data inspection and analysis is currently missing. 3.vortexR is an R package to automate the analysis and visualisation of outputs from the population viability modelling software Vortex. vortexR facilitates collating Vortex output files, data visualisation and basic analyses (e.g. pairwise comparisons of scenarios), as well as providing more advanced statistics, such as searching for the best regression model(s) from a list of predictors to investigate the main effect and the interaction effects of the variables of interest. 4.This package speeds up and greatly facilitates the reproducibility and portability of post-simulation analysis results

The Phytochemical and In Vitro Pharmacological Testing of Maltese Medicinal Plants

Testing of Maltese medicinal plants for their phytochemical constitution and pharmacological efffects.peer-reviewe

Sustainably Growing Guinea’s Bauxite-Aluminum Industry

Guinea’s bauxite-aluminum industry is undergoing significant expansion of investment, concession agreements, and in-country mining and refining operations. In 2018, UNDP-Guinea and Columbia University developed a framework that would evaluate this development against metrics for social and environmental sustainability, such as energy access and diversification, water quality, land use, biodiversity restoration, waste management, and community engagement. Current environmental impacts measured in GHGs, a metric both economic and environmental, were compared to potential impacts anticipated as a consequence of expansion. These anticipated impacts include enormous increases in countrywide GHG emissions and significant regional shortfalls in access to electrical energy. Case studies from the international bauxite-aluminum industry were then used to illustrate best practices for climate mitigation and adaptation and to describe opportunities for regional collaboration on shared-use energy and infrastructure development (e.g., hydropower used across West Africa, rail transportation) while achieving measurable benefits to communities, NGOs, regulators, and mining companies

Improving reproducibility between batches of silver nanoparticles using an experimental design approach

An optimized method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using gallic acid as reductant was achieved using design of experiment strategies based on response surface methodologies. Fractional Factorial Design was used in the screening stage, the Box-Behnken method was employed to model the target responses and finally, the optimization step was done using Desirability function. The obtained AgNP presented improved repetitivity and reproducibility of photophysical properties between batches compared to the synthesis method reported in literature. Intra-assays, intermediate precision and reproducibility tests were performed and proved the different AgNP batches presented equal optical responses, average size and size distribution at a 95% confidence level. In addition, a test on shelf life estimated the optimized AgNP preserve their properties at least for 38 days and especially, zeta potential measurements indicated their low tendency to flocculation as long as 120 days. Furthermore, a remarkable improvement in obtaining reproducible Stern-Volmer constants in fluorescence quenching experiments using Carbazole as fluorophore was observed compared to nanoparticles synthesized by a non-optimal method.Fil: Núñez, Rodrigo Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Veglia, Alicia Viviana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Pacioni, Natalia Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentin

Biometrical approach to evaluate the relationship between roe deer body parameters and winter feeding resources

Introduction: The study is aimed to analyze the biometrical data referred to animals pertaining to class age 0 (0-11 months), in roe deer population of central Italy Apennine, in order to evaluate the relationship between size/shape of body structure/parameters and feeding resources available during the autumn-winter period. Materials and Methods: The analysis of the size was performed on 56 roe deer obtained by selective shooting. For the mandible shape analysis 27 samples were treated with the GeoGebra’s program. To evaluate the relationship between size/shape of body structure/parameters and the feeding resources, an environmental category, derived from the carrying capacity of forest ecosystems relative to the hunting zone, was attributed to each animal. Statistical analysis of size was performed by ANOVA. Shape variables were generated using a Generalized Procustes Analysis program. Results: The analysis of the size showed no significant differences for analyzed parameters between sex, while five parameters showed significant differences among environmental categories. As mandible concerns, it showed an increasing size trend linked to the available feeding resources. This is also supported by the fact that the shape analysis showed a more open mandibular angle (for the mandibular dorsal view) in those animals living in the hunting zone characterized by highest feeding resources, in particular in subjects pertaining to the sub-class 0-8 months. Conclusion: Data analysis suggests that the mandible seems to be the element whose development is mainly affected by the winter feeding resource availability. In the roe deer, the mandible reaches the definitive size during the first living year. So, the food availability during the first winter season could represent a critical factor for the development of this bone. This approach applied to a wider database could be useful to define body marker parameters related to environmental carrying capacity to planning the roe deer selective shooting

Obtenção de gás de síntese por meio da gaseificação de resíduos agroindustriais com vapor de água

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Química, Florianópolis, 2017.A conversão termoquímica de biomassa, ao mesmo tempo em que representa uma forma de geração alternativa de energia, pode servir como uma solução viável para eliminar a necessidade da disposição final de rejeitos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as características físico-químicas de quatro resíduos agroindustriais (bagaço de maçã, borra de café, cevada e serragem) e suas respectivas capacidades de gaseificação com vapor de água visando a produção do gás de síntese (H2O e CO). As biomassas brutas foram pirolisadas em um reator de quartzo com 400 mL/min de N2, a uma taxa de aproximadamente 200 °C/min e tempo de residência de 5 minutos em 900 °C. Tanto as biomassas brutas quanto os chars formados na pirólise foram caracterizados por análises físico-químicas. A cinética da gaseificação com vapor de água dos chars foi avaliada em uma balança termogravimétrica em condições isotérmicas e sob pressão atmosférica, e a identificação dos produtos foi feita em um cromatógrafo gasoso. Na comparação entre as biomassas, a cevada teve o pior desempenho e foi descartada para estudos adicionais. Na faixa de temperatura estudada, a ordem de reatividade encontrada foi borra de café > bagaço de maçã > serragem. Entre os modelos cinéticos testados, o modelo semiempírico, baseado no modelo de poros randômicos, foi o único ajustado com sucesso em toda faixa de grau de conversão para as três biomassas. As energias de ativação obtidas variaram entre 168,4 e 183,8 kJ/mol e os fatores pré-exponencial entre 1,93·107 e 4,73·107 min-1. Pelo gráfico de Arrhenius foi possível observar a troca de regime controlador da reação, em temperaturas específicas para cada char. A ordem da reação em relação à pressão parcial de vapor de água não sofreu grandes variações para diferentes amostras ou para a troca do regime cinético, apresentando um valor médio de 0,75. Na produção de gás de síntese foram observados picos de formação de H2 e CO em altas conversões. No regime cinético, o perfil de formação do CO2 acompanhou o mesmo comportamento da reatividade, enquanto que no regime difusional a formação deste gás se distanciou progressivamente do perfil da reatividade com o aumento da temperatura.Abstract : The thermochemical conversion of biomass is a form of alternative energy generation, and at the same time it can serve as a viable solution to eliminate the need for disposal of waste. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics of four agroindustrial residues (apple pomace, spent coffee grounds, barley and sawdust) and their steam gasification capability aiming the production of synthesis gas (H2O e CO). The raw biomass were pyrolyzed in a quartz reactor of 400 ml/min N2 at a rate of 200 °C/min and a 5 minute residence time at 900 °C. Both raw biomasses and the chars formed in pyrolysis were characterized by their physico-chemical characteristics. The kinetics of steam gasification of char was assessed in a thermogravimetric balance in isothermal conditions and atmospheric pressure, and the identification of the products was performed on a gas chromatograph. Among the studied biomasses, barley presented the worst performance and was ruled out for further study. In the studied temperature range, the order of reactivity found was spent coffee ground > apple pomace > sawdust. Among the kinetic models tested, the semi-empirical model, based on the random pore model, was the only one successfully fitted to the three biomasses in the whole range of conversion degree. The activation energies obtained varied between 168.4 and 183.8 kJ/mol and the pre-exponential factors and between 1.93·107 and 4.73·107 min-1. From the Arrhenius plot it was possible to observe the change in the kinetic regime at specific temperatures for each char. The order of reaction with respect to the steam partial pressure did not suffer large variations for different samples or for changing the kinetic regime presenting an average value of 0.75. In synthesis gas production it was observed the formation of H2 and CO peaks at high conversions. In the kinetic regime, CO2 formation evolution followed the same trend of the reactivity profile, while in the diffusional regime it gradually distanced itself from the reactivity profile with increasing temperature

dartR v2: An accessible genetic analysis platform for conservation, ecology and agriculture

Innumerable approaches to analyse genetic data are now available to guide conservation, ecological and agricultural projects. However, streamlined and accessible tools are needed to bring these approaches within the reach of a broader user base. dartR was released in 2018 to lessen the intrinsic complexity of analysing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and dominant markers (presence/absence of amplified sequence tags) by providing user-friendly data quality control and marker selection functions. dartR users have grown steadily since its release and provided valuable feedback on their interaction with the package allowing us to enhance dartR capabilities. Here, we present Version 2 of dartR. In this version, we substantially increased the number of available functions from 45 to 144. In addition to improved functionality, we focused on enhancing the user experience by extending plot customisation, function standardisation, increasing user support and function speed. dartR provides functions for various stages in analysing genetic data, from data manipulation to reporting. dartR provides many functions for importing, exporting and linking to other packages, to provide an easy-to-navigate conduit between data generation and analysis options already available via other packages. We also implemented simulation functions whose results can be analysed seamlessly with several other dartR functions. As more methods and approaches mature to inform conservation, we envision that accessible platforms to analyse genetic data will play a crucial role in translating science into practice

Delineating genetic management units of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) in south-eastern Australia, using opportunistic tissue sampling and targeted scat collection

Context: Invasive species are major drivers of biodiversity loss, requiring management to reduce their ecological impacts. Population genetics can be applied to delineate management units, providing information that can help plan and improve control strategies. Aim: The present study aims to use a genetic approach to test the existence of three previously proposed sambar deer populations in south-eastern Australia. In doing so, the study aims to delineate management units of sambar deer in south-eastern Australia. Methods: Sambar deer DNA was sourced opportunistically from tissue samples and targeted scat collection. Samples were collected from three areas in Victoria, south-eastern Australia: Mt Cole (MC), French Island (FI) and eastern Victoria (EV). Contemporary population structure was assessed using a suite of 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers. The number of maternal sambar deer lineages in south-eastern Australia was investigated through sequencing of the mitochondrial (mt)DNA control region. Key results: Three distinct genetic clusters were identified. Differentiation among inferred clusters was found to be high, with FST ranging from 0.24 between EV and FI clusters and 0.48 between MC and FI clusters. Two mtDNA haplotypes were identified; R.u1 was found throughout EV and FI, and R.u2 was unique to MC. DNA isolated from scats provided reliable data and proved critical for sampling areas where hunting and culling of deer are not generally undertaken. Conclusions: Three genetically distinct sambar deer management units in south-eastern Australia are defined-MC, FI and EV. Sambar deer control strategies should be applied to each management unit independently. This may be difficult or infeasible for the EV management unit, which is large and geographically complex. Further research may help identify additional fine-scale genetic structure in EV, allowing smaller, more practicable management units to be identified. Implications: Genetic data can be used to identify management units for invasive species, which will be critical for the development of future management strategies and improving control operations. The approach outlined here could also be applied to improve the management of other introduced deer species in south-eastern Australia. © 2022 CSIRO Open Access

Gaseificação de biochars de bagaço de maça e de borra de café com CO2: estudo cinético

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Química, Florianópolis, 2013.A gaseificação de resíduos agroindustriais tem sido apontada como uma alternativa viável de geração de energia, atuando ao mesmo tempo como solução para a disposição final destes rejeitos. Neste trabalho foi estudada a cinética da reação de gaseificação com CO2 de duas biomassas desta categoria, a saber, bagaço de maçã (BM) e borra de café (BC). Como primeira etapa, as duas amostras foram submetidas a uma pirólise lenta em um reator de quartzo tubular de leito fixo, em atmosfera de N2, com taxa média de aquecimento de 11,7 °C·min-1 e tempo de residência de 60 minutos em 600 °C. O BM foi submetido também a uma pirólise rápida, onde a taxa média de aquecimento aplicada foi de 227,9 °C·min 1, e o tempo de residência foi de 15 minutos em 900 °C. A etapa de gaseificação dos resíduos carbonosos (chars) foi realizada em um reator diferencial, em condições onde se determinou, experimentalmente, que o regime era controlado pela reação química, ou seja, fluxo de CO2 de 200 mL·min-1, tamanho de partícula menor do que 106 m e massa de 12 mg. As reações foram conduzidas isotermicamente em um analisador termogravimétrico nas temperaturas de 760, 810 e 855 °C, em pressão atmosférica. Os resultados apresentaram uma reatividade maior para o bagaço de maçã em relação à borra de café, o que foi atribuído ao efeito catalítico do potássio, presente em grande quantidade no BM. Entre os chars de bagaço de maçã, a reatividade maior foi alcançada para o produto da pirólise rápida, como consequência das alterações estruturais propiciadas pelas condições operacionais aplicadas. Quatro modelos cinéticos foram ajustados aos dados experimentais da gaseificação, entre ele três teóricos: Modelo Homogêneo (MH), Modelo do Núcleo Não Reagido (MNNR) e Modelo de Poros Randômicos (MPR); e um semiempírico: Modelo de Poros Randômicos Modificado (MPRM). A ordem obtida de melhor predição foi MPRM > MPR > MNNR > MH. Os parâmetros cinéticos calculados ficaram dentro da faixa encontrada na literatura, com as energias de ativação variando entre 147,1 e 190,4 kJ·mol-1, e os fatores pré-exponenciais entre 7,8·104 e 2,2·107 min 1.Abstract : The gasification of agro-industrial residues has been identified as a viable alternative for energy generation, acting, at the same time, as a solution for the final disposal of these wastes. In the present work, the gasification kinetics of two biomasses, namely apple pomace (AP) and spent coffee grounds (SCG), with CO2 was investigated. As a first step, the slow pyrolysis of AP and SCG took place in a fixed-bed tubular quartz reactor under N2, with average heating rate of 11.7 °C·min-1 and a residence time of 60 min at 600 °C. A fast pyrolysis of AP was also performed, where the average heating rate applied was 227.9 °C·min 1, and the residence time was 15 min at 900 °C. The CO2 gasification of the carbonaceous residues (chars) was conducted in a differential reactor under conditions where it was determined experimentally that the system was in the kinetically controlled regime, ie., flow of 200 ml·min-1, particle diameter smaller than 106 m and amount of sample around 12 mg. The reactions were carried out isothermally in a thermo-gravimetric analyzer at temperatures of 760, 810 and 855 °C, at atmospheric pressure. The results showed a greater reactivity to apple pomace in relation to spent coffee grounds, which was attributed to the catalytic effect of potassium, present in large amounts in AP. Among the chars of apple pomace, the greater reactivity was achieved for the product of fast pyrolysis, as a consequence of structural changes due to operating conditions applied. Four kinetic models were fitted to experimental data of gasification, among them three theoretical: Volume-Reaction Model (VRM), Shrinking Core Model (SCM) and Random Pore Model (RPM); and one semi-empirical: Modified Random Pore Model (MRPM). The best fit order obtained was MRPM > RPM > SCM > VRM. The kinetic parameters calculated were within the range found in the literature, with activation energies varying between 147.1 and 190.4 kJ·mol-1, and the pre-exponential factors between 7.8·104 and 2.2·107 min-1