Adjustable securing base

An adjustable securing base had a surface radius of curvature which was adjusted to support an adjacent part on the base surface. The securing base comprised of a flexible thin plate with an adjustment mechanism connected on opposite edges of the base for adjusting the plate curvature. An opening in the plate was coupled to a vacuum device for securing the part adjacent to the plate surface

Manutenção em campo de níveis variados de palhada de cana-de-açúcar: efeitos sobre o acúmulo de nitrogênio nas plantas.

Resumo: O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a contribuição de diferentes níveis de palhada sobre o acumulo de nitrogênio na cana-de-açúcar. O ensaio foi instalado em Araras-SP, durante as safras de 2011-12 e 2012-13 (variedade RB-845210). Foram aplicados cinco tratamentos, com níveis de 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% e 100% (0 - 2,8- 5,7- 8,5 -11,3 t ha-1 safra 2011-12) (0 - 3 - 6,2 - 9,4 - 12,8 t ha-1 safra 2012-13) dispostos em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Para acompanhar o acumulo de N nos diferentes compartimentos da planta (folhas verdes, folhas secas e colmo) de cana-de-açúcar foram utilizados os dados de massa seca (kg ha-1) e concentrações de N (g kg-1) de cada um destes componentes, obtidos em biometrias realizadas ao longo dos dois ciclos de cultivos estudados. Utilizou-se a análise de variância e regressão para o tratamento estatístico dos resultados. Foi possível concluir que: a manutenção de quantidades de palhada entre 5-12 t ha-1 promovem o mesmo acúmulo de nitrogênio no colmo em relação à ausência deste resíduo (sem palhada) somente após dois ciclos de cultivo de cana-de-açúcar; sendo que no primeiro ciclo há superioridade do tratamento sem palhada apenas sobre o maior nível deste resíduo; não há uma tendência consistente para o acúmulo de nitrogênio para as folhas verdes e secas em função de diferentes aportes de palhada sobre o solo. Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of different levels of straw on the accumulation of nitrogen in sugarcane. The trial was conducted at the harvests of 2011-12 and 2012-13 in Araras-SP, using the RB-845210 variety. There were tested five levels of straw (0% - 25% - 50% - 75% - 100%), related with 2,8 - 5,7 - 8,5 -11,3 t ha -1 ( 2011-12) and 3,0 ? 6,2 ? 9,4 ? 12,8 t ha -1 (2012-13), that were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. To determine N accumulation in sugarcane there was used dry mass (kg ha -1 ) and N concentrations (g kg -1 ) of stalk, green and dry leaves, obtained by biometry evaluations realized during the two ratoons. Variance analyses and regressions were used as statistic tool. It is possible to conclude that after two cycles of sugarcane the inputs of 5-12 t ha -1 of straw by harvest has the same contribution for nitrogen stalk accumulation than traits without straw; although in the first cycle the trait without straw is superior than the higher level of this residue. About green and dry leaves there is no tendency for the nitrogen accumulation for the input of different levels of straw in soil

Dinâmica de decomposição de palhada de cana-de-açúcar.

Resumo: O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar a dinâmica da decomposição de diferentes níveis de palhada de cana-de-açúcar mantidas sobre a superfície do solo, durante um ciclo de cultivo. O ensaio foi instalado na safra 2011-2012 em área de terceiro corte da variedade RB-845210, cultivada no município de Araras - SP. Os tratamentos utilizados foram os níveis de palha deixados sobre a superfície do solo após a colheita, sendo: 25% - 50% - 75% - 100% (2,8 - 5,7 - 8,5 -11,3 t ha-1 em base seca) dispostos em blocos ao acaso, com 4 repetições. Foi utilizado o método dos "litter bags", nas dimensões 0,75 m x 0,50 m, com malha 0,015 m. Para o acompanhamento da dinâmica, foram coletadas amostras aos 42, 106, 162 e 225 dias após a instalação, as quais foram limpas e secas em estufa à 65°C, até peso constante. O cálculo das taxas de decomposição (%) foi realizado por diferença de massa, extrapolado para a área. Não foi observada diferença significativa para a interação entre Níveis de Palhada e Períodos de Decomposição, apenas para os fatores analisados individualmente. Conclui-se que há uma relação linear entre quantidade de palhada e sua degradação em campo até 225 dias do ciclo da cultura, sendo maior a velocidade de decomposição nos primeiros dias do ciclo

Demography and disorders of the French Bulldog population under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2013

Abstract Background Despite its Gallic name, the French Bulldog is a breed of both British and French origin that was first recognised by The Kennel Club in 1906. The French Bulldog has demonstrated recent rapid rises in Kennel Club registrations and is now (2017) the second most commonly registered pedigree breed in the UK. However, the breed has been reported to be predisposed to several disorders including ocular, respiratory, neurological and dermatological problems. The VetCompass™ Programme collates de-identified clinical data from primary-care veterinary practices in the UK for epidemiological research. Using VetCompass™ clinical data, this study aimed to characterise the demography and common disorders of the general population of French Bulldogs under veterinary care in the UK. Results French Bulldogs comprised 2228 (0.49%) of 445,557 study dogs under veterinary care during 2013. Annual proportional birth rates showed that the proportional ownership of French Bulldog puppies rose steeply from 0.02% of the annual birth cohort attending VetCompass™ practices in 2003 to 1.46% in 2013. The median age of the French Bulldogs overall was 1.3 years (IQR 0.6–2.5, range 0.0–13.0). The most common colours of French Bulldogs were brindle (solid or main) (32.36%) and fawn (solid or main) (29.9%). Of the 2228 French Bulldogs under veterinary care during 2013, 1612 (72.4%) had at least one disorder recorded. The most prevalent fine-level precision disorders recorded were otitis externa (14.0%, 95% CI: 12.6–15.5), diarrhoea (7.5%, 95% CI: 6.4–8.7), conjunctivitis (3.2%, 95% CI: 2.5–4.0), nails overlong (3.1%, 95% CI% 2.4–3.9) and skin fold dermatitis (3.0%, 95% CI% 2.3–3.8). The most prevalent disorder groups were cutaneous (17.9%, 95% CI: 16.3–19.6), enteropathy (16.7%, 95% CI: 15.2–18.3), aural (16.3%, 95% CI: 14.8–17.9), upper respiratory tract (12.7%, 95% CI: 11.3–14.1) and ophthalmological (10.5%, 95% CI: 9.3–11.9). Conclusions Ownership of French Bulldogs in the UK is rising steeply. This means that the disorder profiles reported in this study reflect a current young UK population and are likely to shift as this cohort ages. Otitis externa, diarrhoea and conjunctivitis were the most common disorders in French Bulldogs. Identification of health priorities based on VetCompass™ data can support evidence–based reforms to improve health and welfare within the breed

Fertilidade de solos cultivados com cana de açúcar em sistema plantio direto por diferentes períodos.

RESUMO: O sistema plantio direto para cana-de-açúcar tem alterado diversos aspectos no manejo da cultura devido ao não revolvimento do solo e à manutenção da palha em superfície. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a fertilidade do solo de cinco áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar em sistema plantio direto por diferentes períodos em solo ácrico. Amostras de solo foram coletadas em seis profundidades e realizadas análises químicas para determinação de pH, matéria orgânica, fósforo, cálcio, magnésio, potássio, Al3+, H+Al, soma de bases (SB), capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC) e saturação por bases (V%). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias dos tratamentos comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Foram encontradas diferenças principalmente nas camadas mais superficiais. Na camada 0-20 cm, os teores de M.O., P, Ca, SB, CTC e V% foram maiores na área mais nova (um ano). Os resultados indicam que a queda de produtividade que leva à reforma dos canaviais está diretamente vinculada às alterações na fertilidade do solo devido ao aumento da acidez do solo e diminuição de cálcio, magnésio, SB, CTC e V%.RESUMO: O sistema plantio direto para cana-de-açúcar da cultura devido ao não revolvimento do solo e à manutenção da palha em superfície. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a fertilidade do solo de cinco áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar em sistema plantio direto por diferentes períodos em solo ácrico. Amostras de solo foram coletadas em seis profundidades e realizadas análises químicas para determinação de pH, matéria orgânica, fósforo, cálcio, magnésio, potássio, Al3+, H+Al, soma de bases (SB), capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC) e saturação por bases (V%). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias dos tratamentos comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Foram encontradas diferenças principalmente nas camadas mais superficiais. Na camada 0-20 cm, os teores de M.O., P, Ca, SB, CTC e V% foram maiores na área mais nova (um ano). Os resultados indicam que a queda de produtividade que leva à reforma dos canaviais está diretamente vinculada às alterações na fertilidade do solo devido ao aumento da acidez do solo e diminuição de cálcio, magnésio, SB, CTC e V%

Moving from information and collaboration to action: report from the 3rd International Dog Health Workshop, Paris in April 2017

Abstract Background Breed-related health problems in dogs have received increased focus over the last decade. Responsibility for causing and/or solving these problems has been variously directed towards dog breeders and kennel clubs, the veterinary profession, welfare scientists, owners, regulators, insurance companies and the media. In reality, all these stakeholders are likely to share some responsibility and optimal progress on resolving these challenges requires all key stakeholders to work together. The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD), together with an alternating host organization, holds biennial meetings called the International Dog Health Workshops (IDHW). The Société Centrale Canine (French Kennel Club) hosted the 3rd IDHW, in Paris, in April, 2017. These meetings bring together a wide range of stakeholders in dog health, science and welfare to improve international sharing of information and resources, to provide a forum for ongoing collaboration, and to identify specific needs and actions to improve health, well-being and welfare in dogs. Results The workshop included 140 participants from 23 countries and was structured around six important issues facing those who work to improve dog health. These included individualized breed-specific strategies for health and breeding, extreme conformations, education and communication in relation to antimicrobial resistance, behavior and welfare, genetic testing and population-based evidence. A number of exciting actions were agreed during the meeting. These included setting up working groups to create tools to help breed clubs accelerate the implementation of breed-health strategies, review aspects of extreme conformation and share useful information on behavior. The meeting also heralded the development of an online resource of relevant information describing quality measures for DNA testing. A demand for more and better data and evidence was a recurring message stressed across all themes. Conclusions The meeting confirmed the benefits from inclusion of a diverse range of stakeholders who all play relevant and collaborative parts to improve future canine health. Firm actions were set for progress towards improving breed-related welfare. The next international workshop will be in the UK in 2019 and will be organized by the UK Kennel Club

On twisted Fourier analysis and convergence of Fourier series on discrete groups

We study norm convergence and summability of Fourier series in the setting of reduced twisted group $C^*$-algebras of discrete groups. For amenable groups, F{\o}lner nets give the key to Fej\'er summation. We show that Abel-Poisson summation holds for a large class of groups, including e.g. all Coxeter groups and all Gromov hyperbolic groups. As a tool in our presentation, we introduce notions of polynomial and subexponential H-growth for countable groups w.r.t. proper scale functions, usually chosen as length functions. These coincide with the classical notions of growth in the case of amenable groups.Comment: 35 pages; abridged, revised and update

Critical variables to predict technological expansion in traditional sugarcane productive region of north-east Brazil.

Abstract: Several critical variables are used to predict the technological expansion of traditional sugarcane productive region of Brazil's northeast (NE). Variables were selected after retrospective evaluation, present diagnosis and validation by expertise of the sugarcane sector. After the selection, the variables were classified based on impact levei and predictability. The matrix for morphological analysis was carried out to indicate the technological expansion pathway. It is possible to conclude that technological expansion of sugarcane production in this traditional region could be limited or enhanced by agricultural, social environrnental and economic variables. ln this study, a total of twenty five parameters were designated to evaluate the sugarcane expansion in this region, being eight agricultural, six natural resource, six market and five social variables. Therefore, straight analysis of the scenario lead to the possibility of immediate actions in agricultura I sugarcane production, natural resource preservation and social relationships variables, on the other hand the market actions agreements are more complex and complicated to apply