Effects of Alpine hydropower dams on particle transport and lacustrine sedimentation

Abstract.: The effects of high-alpine hydropower damming on lacustrine sedimentation and transport of solid particles were investigated in the glaciated Grimsel area and in downstream Lake Brienz, providing quantitative denudation rates and sediment yield on a source-sink basis. A total of 271 kt/yr of solid particles entered the Grimsel reservoirs on average in the last 71 years, mostly by turbiditic underflows that focused sedimentation in depocenters upstream of obstacles such as bedrock ridges, submerged moraines, or dams. This is equivalent to a sediment yield of 2430 t/(km2yr) in the catchment (111.5 km2) or a denudation rate of 0.94 mm/yr. A total of 39 kt/yr of the fine fraction (<~4 μm) leave the reservoirs and are transported to downstream Lake Brienz, while 232 kt/yr of mostly coarse particles are retained, reducing total sediment input of the River Aare into Lake Brienz by two thirds. Modeling the particle budgets in the Aare with and without dams indicates that the fine fraction budgets are only slightly affected by damming, but that the reservoirs cause a shift in seasonal runoff timing resulting in increasing and decreasing particle transport in winter and summer, respectively. Thus, hydrodamming alters mostly deltaic sedimentation in Lake Brienz, where the coarse fraction is deposited, whereas fine grained distal sedimentation and varve formation on lateral slopes are less affected. All varved records of the reservoirs and Lake Brienz that provide sediment rates and grain size records on an annual basis indicate that climate is the main control on these proxies, while, for instance, the onset of pump storage activity in the reservoirs did not impose any significant change in lacustrine sedimentation patter

GESTÃO DOS CURSOS DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO LATO SENSU: ESTRATÉGIAS E IMPACTOS NA AVALIAÇÃO DOCENTE DA UNIDADE BAURU DO CENTRO UNIVERSITÁRIO SENAC

O presente estudo tem como objetivo discutir a relação entre as estratégias de gestão adotadas nos cursos de pós-graduação lato sensu ofertados pela Unidade Bauru do Centro Universitário SENAC, no período compreendido entre 2011 e 2014, especificamente as voltadas à qualidade do processo ensino-aprendizagem e seus reflexos nos resultados da avaliação docente sob a ótica da percepção dos discentes, sendo esta uma das oito dimensões estabelecidas pela instituição para a sua avaliação institucional. A metodologia adotada nesta investigação foi de natureza exploratória e qualitativa, utilizando-se da pesquisa bibliográfica, entrevista e análise documental, esta última desenvolvida por meio da análise dos relatórios da avaliação institucional que é aplicada semestralmente e que foram disponibilizados pela instituição. Enquanto resultados, verifica-se no período estudado uma significativa evolução nos índices de satisfação do corpo discente em relação aos professores dos cursos. Conclui-se, portanto, que as estratégias adotadas podem estar impactando positivamente na qualidade dos cursos, se analisadas sob esta ótica, a dos discentes

Multimodal anatomy of the human forniceal commissure

Ambiguity surrounds the existence and morphology of the human forniceal commissure. We combine advanced in-vivo tractography, multidirectional ex-vivo fiber dissection, and multiplanar histological analysis to characterize this structure's anatomy. Across all 178 subjects, in-vivo fiber dissection based on the Human Connectome Project 7 T MRI data identifies no interhemispheric connections between the crura fornicis. Multidirectional ex-vivo fiber dissection under the operating microscope demonstrates the psalterium as a thin soft-tissue membrane spanning between the right and left crus fornicis, but exposes no commissural fibers. Multiplanar histological analysis with myelin and Bielchowsky silver staining, however, visualizes delicate cruciform fibers extending between the crura fornicis, enclosed by connective tissue, the psalterium. The human forniceal commissure is therefore much more delicate than previously described and presented in anatomical textbooks. This finding is consistent with the observed phylogenetic trend of a reduction of the forniceal commissure in non-human primates compared to non-primate eutherian mammals

Milk pasteurization: efficiency of the HTST process according to its bacterial concentration

Em estudo crítico sobre o processo de pasteurização do leite pelo método HTST, os autores demonstraram que taxas elevadas de contaminação inicial do produto cru não constituem variável capaz de influenciar a eficiência do processo, aferida em termos da amplitude entre a carga bacteriana apatogênica mesófila aeróbia inicial e final do produto, sendo essa tanto menor quanto menor for o teor de tais bactérias no leite cru. Conceberam, ainda, modelo teórico cuja utilização possibilita o desenvolvimento de modelos simulados tanto para o monitoramento do controle da qualidade como para a avaliação da própria técnica de contagem bacteriana do leite (SPC).The efficiency of milk pasteurization (HTST) related to its standard plate count (SPC) values were assessed in 41 milk samples using a laboratory designed pasteurizing equipment. Based on results, it is demonstrated that efficiency of the process is affected by its bacterial concentration, where lower SPC values mean decrease in efficiency and that the performance of the process is not affected in presence of high SPC values in raw product

Temporal Changes of Seismic Velocity Caused by Volcanic Activity at Mt. Etna Revealed by the Autocorrelation of Ambient Seismic Noise

On active volcanoes, ambient noise-based seismic interferometry, able to detect very slight variations in seismic velocity associated with magma transport towards the surface, can be a very useful monitoring tool. In this work, we performed the autocorrelation of ambient seismic noise recorded at Mt. Etna volcano, by three stations located close to the active summit craters, during April 2013 - October 2014. Such an interval was chosen because of the number and variety of eruptions. The method implemented to perform autocorrelation was the phase cross-correlation, which does not require normalization of the signals. The detected seismic velocity variations were very consistent for all three stations throughout the study period, mainly ranging between 0.3 and -0.2%, and were time-related to both sequences of paroxysmal eruptions and more effusive activities. In particular, we observed seismic velocity decreases accompanying paroxysmal eruptions, suggesting an intense pressurization within the plumbing system, which created an area of extensional strain with crack openings. It is worth noting that classical cross-station approach failed to detect seismic velocity changes related to volcano activity. In addition, seismic velocity variations over time were integrated with ground deformation data recorded by GPS stations and volcanic tremor centroid locations. Finally, we showed that, although the investigated frequency band (1-2 Hz) contains most of the volcanic tremor energy, our results did not indicate a particular contamination of seismic velocity variation measurements by variations of tremor sources

USE OF PENDIMETHALIN AND TRIFLURALIN ON RICE/BRACHIARIA INTERCROPING SYSTEM

A cultura do arroz é frequentemente utilizada na reforma de pastagens degradadas. Nesse processo a implantação do arroz ocorre concomitantemente com as forrageiras, fato que dificulta o controle de plantas daninhas em pós emergência.&nbsp; Assim sendo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho da cultura de arroz em consorcio com Urochloa sob o efeito da aplicação do herbicidas pendimethalin e trifluralin incorporados ou não ao solo. O delineamento experimental foi um fatorial 2x3. O primeiro fator foi composto pela incorporação ou não dos herbicidas PPI (Pré-plantio incorporado) e três tratamentos, sendo o 1) controle (sem uso de herbicida) 2) &nbsp;pendimethalin 3) trifluralin. Foi o usado em consorcio com o arroz duas forrageiras a &nbsp;Urochloa ruziziensis e Urochloa brizantha. A semeadura do arroz, cultivar BRS Sertaneja, foi realizada no mesmo dia da aplicação dos herbicidas. A determinação do nível de controle foi realizada contando-se as plantas daninhas remanescentes. Na cultura do arroz as avaliações realizadas foram perfilhos e panículas viáveis e produtividade de grãos. As forrageiras foram avaliadas pela produção de biomassa seca da parte aérea. Os dados apresentaram distribuição normal, e, portanto, submetidos à análise de variância e teste F com probabilidade de 5%, quando significativo foram comparados ao teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. O controle do apaga-fogo (Alternanthera tenella) com Pendimethalin e Trifluralin com incorporação foi superior a 90%. O controle das plantas daninhas favoreceu a produção de biomassa seca da parte aérea. A produtividade do arroz foi obtida no consórcio com Urochloa ruziziensis.com aplicação do herbicida Pendimenthalin sem incorporação

Zootechnical and economic performance indexes of dairy herds with different production scales

This study aims to estimate the zootechnical and economic benchmarks of milk production systems, analyze production scale effects on dairy farming returns, and identify the system components that best represent the total and effective operational costs. We analyzed 22 size, zootechnical and economic performance indexes from 61 dairy farms located in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The sample of herds were clustered according to three production strata. The results were compared using analysis of variance (normal distribution) and Kruskal-Wallis (non-normal distribution) tests, and post-hoc comparisons were undertaken with Fisher's least significant difference test. The relationship between some variables was tested using the Pearson correlation test. The production scale was best defined by the number of lactating cows (r=0.96) in comparison to the area (r=0.83). The production scale proved to be a suitable criterion for the analyses between different groups of producers, and it is more easily obtained and probably provides more accurate results. The milk production systems studied presented higher zootechnical indexes than those found in average of Brazilian farms, but lower than international indices or technologically advanced farms from other Brazilian regions. A greater production scale is a desirable condition, although it failed to ensure the economic efficiency of the herds studied. The components of total and effective operating costs that had the greatest representativeness were, in descending order, food and labor

Kinetics of digestion of low-quality forage grazed by beef cattle fed supplements containing increasing levels of rumen undegradable protein

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the degradation kinetics and microbial efficiency of beef cattle grazing on low-quality forage and receiving supplements with different levels of rumen undegradable protein (RUP). The animals grazed on palisade grass pasture solely or this pasture and supplement containing 40 or 60 g of RUP per 100 g of crude protein (CP). The degradation profiles of neutral detergent fiber, fiber carbohydrates, and neutral detergent insoluble protein were interpreted kinetically by using a decreasing logistic model. Treatments (no supplement, or RUP at 40 or 60 g−1 100 g CP) did not affect rumen fill; however, the increase in the indigestible fiber carbohydrate fraction that occurred at the expense of the digestible fiber carbohydrate fraction resulted in a greater rumen fill effect. The palisade grass showed a significant proportion of its nitrogen in the form of slowly degradable protein as neutral detergent insoluble protein, which amounted to 26 g per 100 g CP. Supplementation with 40 g of RUP per 100 g CP decresead the indigestible fraction of the low-quality forage. However, the absence of a rumen-fill effect demonstrates that the additional supply of nutrients contributes greatly to increasing growth efficiency and use of the available energy from the forage by the ruminal microorganisms

Efeito da irrigação de pastagens na rentabilidade de sistemas de produção de leite participantes do programa “Balde Cheio”

This research sought to analyze the effect of irrigation of grasslands on the profitability of dairy production by 20 demonstration units (UDs) that participate in the dairy improvement program called “Balde Cheio”. Understudy were the components that exerted the greatest influence on total and effective (cash flow) operating costs and the impact of each one on economic return. The data were processed using PASW 18.0 software and multiple linear regression incorporating the stepwise method to determine the relative effect of each component of production costs on the criteria liquid margin, profitability and investment yield. Pasture irrigation was found to affect the total cost of milk production and, thus, profitability and yield. The stratum of non-irrigating producers had the lowest total cost and effective operating costs. The liquid margins were positive, but the net margins were negative in both strata, thus, the dairy operation is not viable in the long run, due to decapitalization of the producers. The items of effective operating costs with most efforts on the dairy business (in decreasing order) were: in the non-irrigating stratum, feed, sundry expenses and labor, and in the irrigating stratum, feed, labor and energy. In both strata, the most influential components of total cost followed in order: feed, family labor and remuneration of capital invested.Objetivou-se analisar o efeito da irrigaçãode pastagens na rentabilidade de 20 unidades demonstrativas (UD) participantes do programa “Balde Cheio”, no estado do RJ, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2011. Pretendeu-se, ainda, identificar os componentes que exerceram maior influência sobre os custos total e operacional efetivo e o impacto de cada um deles na receita.Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o software PASW 18.0. Utilizou-se o modelo de regressão linear múltipla com o método stepwise, para identificar os componentes do custo de produção que mais influenciaram na margem líquida, na lucratividade e na rentabilidade.A irrigação das pastagens influenciou o custo total de produção do leite e, portanto, a lucratividade e rentabilidade. O estrato dos produtores que não irrigam apresentou os menores custos totais e menores custos operacionais efetivos unitários. Por apresentar margem líquida positiva e resultado negativo, nos dois estratos, a atividade leiteira nãoteve condições de produzir no longo prazo, com descapitalização, dos pecuaristas. Os itens componentes do custo operacional efetivo que exerceram maiores representatividades sobre os custos da atividade leiteira, no estrato dos produtores que não irrigam, em ordem decrescente, foram a alimentação, despesas diversas e mão de obra. No estrato daqueles produtores que utilizavam a irrigação, foram a alimentação, mão de obra e energia. Nos dois estratos, os itens componentes do custo total que exerceram maiores representatividades sobre os custos da atividade leiteira, em ordem decrescente, foram a alimentação, mão de obra familiar e remuneração do capital investido

Effect of technical and management indexes on profitability of dairy production with different types of labour

The effect of some technical and management indexes on economic efficiency was studied in 20 demonstration units (UD), with different types of labour, participants in the «Balde Cheio» program, in Rio de Janeiro State from January to December 2011. The analysis was based on gross margin, liquid margin, net result (profit or loss), rentability and profitability. Data analysis made use of SPSS 18.0 software. Multiple linear regression incorporating the stepwise method was used to identify the technical and management indexes most influential in profitability and rentability. The indexes cows were found to differ among the types of labour and influenced the economic efficiency. The family labour stratum gave the highest percentages of lactating cows/all cows, cows/all animals in the herd, lactating cows/all animals, greatest daily productivity per animal and per hectare-year, but this was not enough to obtain profit. The mixed labour stratum resulted in the highest number of lactating cows/ha and the lowest total labour input, and although it showed a positive net margin, the net result was negative. The contracted labour stratum yielded the best ratios of herd animals to labour and milk production, in addition to being the only one to achieve both positive liquid margin and positive net result