Genetic (co)variance components for ratio of lamb weight to ewe metabolic weight as an indicator of ewe efficiency

Data from a multibreed commercial flock located at Mid-West of Brazil, supported by Programa de Melhoramento Genético de Caprinos e Ovinos de Corte (GENECOC), were used to estimate genetic parameters of traits related to ewe productivity by Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood method applied to an animal model. The analyzed traits were litter weight at birth (LWB) and at weaning (LWW), ewe weight at weaning (EW) and ewe production efficiency, estimated by WEE=LWW/EW 0.75. The heritabilities were 0.26±0.05, 0.32±0.06, 0.37±0.03 and 0.10±0.02 for LWB, LWW, EW and WEE, respectively. Significant effects for direct heterosis were observed for LWW and EW. Recombination losses were important for EW and WEE. Genetic correlations of LWB with LWW, EW and WEE were 0.68, 0.37 and 0.15, respectively; of LWW with EW and WEE were 0.30 and 0.34, respectively; and between EW and WEE was -0.25. Even though it is a low heritability trait, WEE can be indicated as a selection criteria for improving the ewe productivity without increasing the mature weight of animals due to its genetic correlations with LWW and other traits. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

J/ψ and ψ (2S) production in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A measurement of the J/ ψ and ψ (2S) production cross sections in pp collisions at √s = 7TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 37 pb -1. Using a fit to the invariant mass and decay length distributions, production cross sections have been measured separately for prompt and non-prompt charmonium states, as a function of the meson transverse momentum in several rapidity ranges and integrated in the kinematical regions considered in this study. In addition, cross sections restricted to the acceptance of the CMS detector are given, which are not affected by the polarization of the charmonium states. The ratio of the differential production cross sections of the two states, where systematic uncertainties largely cancel, is also determined. The branching fraction of the inclusive B → ψ (2S)X decay is extracted from the ratio of the non-prompt cross sections to be: B(B → ψ (2S)X) = (3:08 ± 0:12 (stat.+syst.) ± 0:13 (theor.) ± 0:42 (BPDG)) × 10 -3: B(B → ψ(2S)X) = (3.08 ± 0.12 (stat.+syst.) ± 0.13 (theor.) ± 0.42 (B PDG)) × 10 -3.

Search for the standard model Higgs boson in ZH→ + -bb̄ production with the D0 detector in 9.7fb -1 of pp̄ collisions at √s=1.96TeV

We present a search for the standard model (SM) Higgs boson produced in association with a Z boson in 9.7fb -1 of pp̄ collisions collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider at √s=1.96TeV. Selected events contain one reconstructed Z→e +e - or Z→μ +μ - candidate and at least two jets, including at least one jet identified as likely to contain a b quark. To validate the search procedure, we also measure the cross section for ZZ production in the same final state. It is found to be consistent with its SM prediction. We set upper limits on the ZH production cross section times branching ratio for H→bb̄ at the 95% C.L. for Higgs boson masses 90≤M H≤150GeV. The observed (expected) limit for M H=125GeV is 7.1 (5.1) times the SM cross section. © 2012 American Physical Society.

Alkali activated materials based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC): Influence of SiO2/Na2O and H 2O/FCC ratio on mechanical strength and microstructure

Reuse of industrial and agricultural wastes as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete and mortar productions contribute to sustainable development. In this context, fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (spent FCC), a byproduct from the petroleum industry and petrol refineries, have been studied as SCM in blended Portland cement in the last years. Nevertheless, another environmental friendly alternative has been conducted in order to produce alternative binders with low CO2 emissions. The use of aluminosilicate materials in the production of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) is an ongoing research topic which can present low CO2 emissions associated. Hence, this paper studies some variables that can influence the production of AAM based on spent FCC. Specifically, the influence of SiO 2/Na2O molar ratio and the H2O/spent FCC mass ratio on the mechanical strength and microstructure are assessed. Some instrumental techniques, such as SEM, XRD, pH and electrical conductivity measurements, and MIP are performed in order to assess the microstructure of formed alkali-activated binder. Alkali activated mortars with compressive strength up to 80 MPa can be formed after curing for 3 days at 65°C. The research demonstrates the potential of spent FCC to produce alkali-activated cements and the importance of SiO2/Na2O molar ratio and the H2O/spent FCC mass ratio in optimising properties and microstructure. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of a thermoeconomic methodology for the optimization of biodiesel production - Part I: Biodiesel plant and thermoeconomic functional diagram

This work developed a methodology that uses the thermoeconomic functional diagram applied for allocating the cost of products produced by a biodiesel plant. The first part of this work discusses some definitions of exergy and thermoeconomy, with a detailed description of the biodiesel plant studied, identification of the system functions through Physical Diagram, calculation of the irreversibilities of the plant, construction of the Thermoeconomic Functional Diagram and determination of the expressions for the plant's exergetic functions. In order to calculate the exergetic increments and the physical exergy of certain flows in each step, the Chemical Engineering Simulation Software HYSYS 3.2 was used. The equipments that have the highest irreversibilities in the plant were identified after the exergy calculation. It was also found that the lowest irreversibility in the system refers to the process with a molar ratio of 6:1 and a reaction temperature of 60 °C in the transesterification process. In the second part of this work (Part II), it was calculated the thermoeconomic cost of producing biodiesel and related products, including the costs of carbon credits for the CO2 that is not released into the atmosphere, when a percentage of biodiesel is added to the petroleum diesel used by Brazil's internal diesel fleet (case study). © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparing submerged and solid-state fermentation of agro-industrial residues for the production and characterization of lipase by Trichoderma harzianum

Lipase production by Trichoderma harzianum was evaluated in submerged fermentation (SF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) using a variety of agro-industrial residues. Cultures in SF showed the highest activity (1.4 U/mL) in medium containing 0.5 % (w/v) yeast extract, 1 % (v/v) olive oil and 2.5 C:N ratio. This paper is the first to report lipase production by T. harzianum in SSF. A 1:2 mixture of castor oil cake and sugarcane bagasse supplemented with 1 % (v/w) olive oil showed the best results among the cultures in SSF (4 U/g ds). Lipolytic activity was stable in a slightly acidic to neutral pH, maintaining 50 % activity after 30 min at 50 C. Eighty percent of the activity remained after 1 h in 25 % (v/v) methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or acetone. Activity was observed with vegetable oils (olive, soybean, corn and sunflower) and long-chain triacylglycerols (triolein), confirming the presence of a true lipase. The results of this study are promising because they demonstrate an enzyme with interesting properties for application in catalysis produced by fermentation at low cost. © 2012 Springer-Verlag and the University of Milan.

Production of turmeric oleoresin microcapsules by complex coacervation with gelatin-gum arabic

Turmeric oleoresin is a colorant prepared by solvent extraction of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Curcumin, the major pigment present in turmeric, has been described as a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic agent. Turmeric pigments are lipid soluble and water insoluble and are sensitive to light, heat, oxygen and pH, which can be overcome by microencapsulation of turmeric oleoresin. The aim of this work was to investigate microencapsulation of turmeric oleoresin by complex coacervation using gelatin and gum Arabic as encapsulants and freeze-drying as the drying method. The coacervation process was studied by varying the concentration of biopolymer solution (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5%) and the core material: total encapsulant ratio (25, 50, 75 and 100%). Microcapsules were evaluated for encapsulation efficiency, morphology, solubility and stability to light. Encapsulation efficiency ranged from 49 to 73% and samples produced with 2.5% of wall material and 100% core: encapsulant ratio showed better stability to light. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bovine herpesvirus type 5 infection regulates Bax/BCL-2 ratio

Bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5) is an α-herpesvirus that causes neurological disease in young cattle and is also occasionally involved in reproductive disorders. Although there have been many studies of the apoptotic pathways induced by viruses belonging to the family Herpesviridae, there is little information about the intrinsic programmed cell death pathway in host-BoHV-5 interactions. We found that BoHV-5 is able to replicate in both mesenchymal and epithelial cell lines, provoking cytopathology that is characterized by cellular swelling and cell fusion. Viral antigens were detected in infected cells by immunofluorescence assay at 48 to 96 h post-infection (p.i.). At 48 to 72 h p.i., anti-apoptotic BCL-2 antigens were found at higher levels than Bax antigens; the latter is considered a pro-apoptotic protein. Infected cells had increased BCL-2 phenotype cells from 48 to 96 h p.i., based on flow cytometric analysis. At 48 to 96 h p.i., Bax mRNA was not expressed in any of the infected cell monolayers. In contrast, BCL-2 mRNA was found at high levels at all p.i. in both types of cells. BoHV-5 replication apparently modulates BCL-2 expression and gene transcription, enhancing production of virus progeny. © FUNPEC-RP.

Development of a thermoeconomic methodology for optimizing biodiesel production. Part II: Manufacture exergetic cost and biodiesel production cost incorporating carbon credits, a Brazilian case study

The purpose of this study is to carry on a thermoeconomic analysis at a biodiesel production plant considering the irreversibilities in each step (part I: biodiesel plant under study and functional thermoeconomic diagram [1]), making it possible to calculate the thermoeconomic cost in US$/kWh and US$/l of the biodiesel production, and the main byproduct generated, glycerin, incorporating the credits for the CO2 that is not emitted into the atmosphere (carbon credits). Assuming a sale price for both the biodiesel and the byproduct (glycerin), the annual revenue of the total investment in a plant with a capacity of 8000 t/year of biodiesel operating at 8000 h/year was calculated. The variables that directly or indirectly influence the final thermoeconomic cost include total annual biodiesel production, hours of operation, manufacturing exergy cost, molar ratio in the transesterification reaction, reaction temperature and pressure in the process. Depending on the increase or decrease in sale prices for both biodiesel and glycerin, the payback is going to significantly increase or decrease. It is evident that, in exergy terms, the sale of glycerin is of vital importance in order to reduce the biodiesel price, getting a shorter payback period for the plant under study. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Population, social equity and changing production patterns

Includes bibliography

Measurement of the X(3872) production cross section via decays to J/psi pi(+)pi(-) in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Study of the production of charged pions, kaons, and protons in pPb collisions at root SNN=5.02 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Measurement of the t-channel single-top-quark production cross section and of the |V (tb)| CKM matrix element in pp collisions at root s=8 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Measurement of the production cross sections for a Z boson and one or more b jets in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Isolate((R)) and Optiprep((R)) minigradients as alternatives for sperm selection in bovine in vitro embryo production

The objective of this study was to evaluate alternatives in small volumes to conventional gradient of Percoll((R)) on semen quality, in vitro embryo production, sex ratio and embryo survival after vitrification. Thawed semen was randomly allocated to one of four density gradient selection methods: (1) conventional Percoll((R)) (P), (2) MiniPercoll (MP), (3) MiniIsolate (MI), and (4) MiniOptiprep (MO). Sperm kinetics and quality were evaluated. Use of P, MP and MI gradients did not affect sperm motility (P > 0.05). However, there was a decrease in total and progressive sperm motility in MO (70.8 and 51.3% vs. 87.3 and 69.5% for P; 87.3 and 73% for MP; 92.3 and 78.8% for MI; P < 0.05). The MO had lower membrane integrity compared with P, MP and MI (39.7 vs. 70.5, 72.3, 63.8%, respectively, P < 0.05). The percentage of blastocysts produced was higher in MI than in MP and MO (21.1 vs. 16.1 and 16.9%, P < 0.05) and similar to P (18.4%; P > 0.05). Sex ratio and embryo survival after vitrification were similar among groups (P > 0.05). Semen selected by Isolate and Optiprep gradient, at the concentrations and small volumes used, demonstrated similar characteristics and in vitro embryo production to conventional Percoll((R)) gradient.