Brazilian savanna forest : conservation, medicinal reservoir and bioprospecting

This study aimed to analyse the Brazilian savanna forest from a Legal Reserve (LR) area from a perspective of conservation, reservoir of organic carbon and medicinal biomass for a prospective use of native medicinal plants. An ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological survey was carried out close to a community settled in the rural area in the south of Tocantins, being selected 9 of the most cited species (cajuí- Anacardium othonianum; inharé-Brosimum gaudichaudii; jatobá-Hymenaeae courbaril; jenipapo-Genipa americana, aroeira-Myracrodruon urundeuva; negramina-Siparuna guianensis; barbatimão- Stryphnodendron obovatum; assa peixe-Vernonia brasiliana, embaúba-Cecropia pachystachya). Crude foliar extracts were subjected to a preliminary phytochemical prospection and triage of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity of potential interest in health and familiar agriculture. Phenolic compounds, terpenes and flavonoids were detected in the extracts of most species, which suggests the presence of antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-insect activities. It was evident the need to better know the LR as a reservoir of medicinal biomass in an area under ecological tension where 35% (610ha) of the property is LR and should be protected by law. Therefore, a forest inventory of live woody species was performed using the allometric or indirect method. This identified a rare remnant of Semidecidual Seasonal Forest amidst the largest world savannah, the Cerrado biome. An analysis of the forest average productivity per basal area (m².ha), aerial live biomass (ton.ha-1) and carbon stock was carried out. The forest fragment was considered relatively rich in species and diversity, although showing signs of disturbance and dominance by a few species. Its horizontal structure suggests biotic regeneration conditions. It is an important reservoir of medicinal plants. Of the families (57.5%) presenting medicinal species, 19 from a total of 33 are represented in the area and contain 44% (27) of the total species (61) and 63% (432) of the total individuals catalogued. Medicinal species have ecological importance for the equilibrium of the local flora and represent 80% of the 10 species with higher Importance Value Index (IVI): Tetragastris altissima, Chrysophyllum marginatum, Oenocarpus distichus, Sclerolobium paniculatum, Simarouba versicolor, Alibertia macrophylla, Siparuna guianensis, Maprounea guianensis, Licania parvifolia e Physocalymma scaberrimum. Medicinal productivity was high for this type of phytophysionomy: 183,2 ton. ha-1 of biomass and 91,51 ton. ha-1 of carbon representing 66% of the total biomass and carbon of this Cerrado forest. From this stage S. guianensis (Siparunaceae) was selected for performing bioassays in order to verify its biological activity against microorganisms of health and agricultural relevance. This is a native aromatic medicinal plant recommended as priority for conservation, with local popular medicinal validation and availability of medicinal feedstock (3300 Kg.ha-1), with the foliar fraction giving 38Kg/ha of crude extract and 5L/ha of essential oil. Foliar crude extracts and essential oil were obtained and tested in vitro using a disk diffusion bioassay. Different concentrations of these natural products were tested against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213), gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and ATCC 35218; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145) and fungi (Candida albicans ATCC 6258 e Fusarium oxysporum). The essential oil inhibited the growth of S. aureus in its crude concentration (380μg.mL-1), as well as diluted to half (190μg.mL-1) and a quarter strength (95μg.mL-1). It’s likely that such action is due to sesquiterpenes major components, such as bisabolol and bisabolene (10.35%), measured by gas chromatography (GC-MS, GC-FID). Extracts did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms tested. The native medicinal plants prospective market is an alternative that favours the conservation of biodiversity while generating benefits for the development of sustainable family productive activities within local ecosystems instead of the current inappropriate uses. This strengthens conservation policies of Legal Reserve in rural settlements and is in agreement with public policy on global warming and climate changes.

South Carolina tobacco directory

This tobacco directory lists tobacco products sold in South Carolina by name, company name, original certification date, action type and agreement type.

Hotel Valuation Software, Version 4.0

[Updated August 2016] The Hotel Valuation Software, freely available from Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research, has been updated to reflect the many changes in the 11th Edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). Version 4.0 of the Hotel Valuation Software provides numerous enhancements over the original tool from 2011. In addition to a significant increase in functionality and an update to reflect the 11th edition of the USALI, Version 4.0 takes advantage of the power of the latest release of Microsoft Excel®. Note that Version 4.0 works only on a PC running Microsoft Windows, it does not work on a Mac running OS X. Users desiring an OS X compatible version should click here (Labeled as Version 2.5). 酒店评估软件手册和三个程序（点击这里 ) Users desiring a Mandarin version of the Hotel Valuation Software should click here The Hotel Valuation Software remains the only non-proprietary computer software designed specifically to assist in the preparation of market studies, forecasts of income and expense, and valuations for lodging property. The software provides an accurate, consistent, and cost-effective way for hospitality professionals to forecast occupancy, revenues and expenses and to perform hotel valuations. Version 4.0 of the Hotel Valuation Software includes the following upgrades – a complete update to reflect the 11th edition of the USALI – the most significant change to the chart of accounts in a generation, an average daily rate forecasting tool, a much more sophisticated valuation module, and an optional valuation tool useful in periods of limited capital liquidity. Using established methodology, the Hotel Valuation Software is a sophisticated tool for lodging professionals. The tool consists of three separate software programs written as Microsoft Excel files and a software users' guide. The tool is provided through the generosity of HVS and the School of Hotel Administration. The three software modules are: Room Night Analysis and Average Daily Rate: Enables the analyst to evaluate the various competitive factors such as occupancy, average room rate, and market segmentation for competitive hotels in a local market. Calculates the area-wide occupancy and average room rate, as well as the competitive market mix. Produce a forecast of occupancy and average daily rate for existing and proposed hotels in a local market. The program incorporates such factors as competitive occupancies, market segmentation, unaccommodated demand, latent demand, growth of demand, and the relative competitiveness of each property in the local market. The program outputs include ten-year projections of occupancy and average daily rate. Fixed and Variable Revenue and Expense Analysis: The key to any market study and valuation is a supportable forecast of revenues and expenses. Hotel revenue and expenses are comprised of many different components that display certain fixed and variable relationships to each other. This program enables the analyst to input comparable financial operating data and forecast a complete 11-year income and expense statement by defining a small set of inputs: The expected future occupancy levels for the subject hotel Base year operating data for the subject hotel Fixed and variable relationships for revenues and expenses Expected inflation rates for revenues and expenses Hotel Capitalization Software: A discounted cash flow valuation model utilizing the mortgage-equity technique forms the basis for this program. Values are produced using three distinct underwriting criteria: A loan-to-value ratio, in which the size of the mortgage is based on property value. A debt coverage ratio (also known as a debt-service coverage ratio), in which the size of the mortgage is based on property level cash flow, mortgage interest rate, and mortgage amortization. A debt yield, in which the size of the mortgage is based on property level cash flow. By entering the terms of typical lodging financing, along with a forecast of revenue and expense, the program determines the value that provides the stated returns to the mortgage and equity components. The program allows for a variable holding period from four to ten years The program includes an optional model useful during periods of capital market illiquidity that assumes a property refinancing during the holding period

South Carolina’s employment situation-January 2014

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce publishes news releases with monthly statistics about the employment situation of the state, including unemployment rate, employment by industry, and local area unemployment by county and MSA.

South Carolina’s employment situation-February 2014

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce publishes news releases with monthly statistics about the employment situation of the state, including unemployment rate, employment by industry, and local area unemployment by county and MSA.

South Carolina’s employment situation-March 2014

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce publishes news releases with monthly statistics about the employment situation of the state, including unemployment rate, employment by industry, and local area unemployment by county and MSA.

South Carolina’s employment situation-April 2014

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce publishes news releases with monthly statistics about the employment situation of the state, including unemployment rate, employment by industry, and local area unemployment by county and MSA.

Environmental Implications of Hotel Growth in China: Integrating Sustainability with Hotel Development

China has embarked on the largest program of new hotel construction the world has ever seen. Even though the nation’s growth rate has eased somewhat in the past year, China’s hotel development continues at a pace that would see at least three new 150+ room hotels open every day for the next 25 years.1 Even if the industry does not continue to expand at this rate, China’s hotel growth carries substantial consequences in terms of increases in energy and water consumption, and an expanding carbon footprint. In this paper, we outline the dimensions of this issue, and we urge hotel developers to heed the national government’s push for greater sustainability.

South Carolina's employment situation-December 2014

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce publishes news releases with monthly statistics about the employment situation of the state, including unemployment rate, employment by industry, and local area unemployment by county and MSA.

South Carolina's employment situation-January 2015

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce publishes news releases with monthly statistics about the employment situation of the state, including unemployment rate, employment by industry, and local area unemployment by county and MSA.

South Carolina's employment situation-May 2015

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce publishes news releases with monthly statistics about the employment situation of the state, including unemployment rate, employment by industry, and local area unemployment by county and MSA.

South Carolina's employment situation-June 2015

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce publishes news releases with monthly statistics about the employment situation of the state, including unemployment rate, employment by industry, and local area unemployment by county and MSA.

The hospitality industry

This study of independent Portuguese hotels‘ positioning strategies regarding adopting, or not, a soft brand affiliation seeks to determine what motivates this choice. Surveyed hotels were asked to enunciate the benefits and disadvantages associated with their strategic decision, and other difficulties experienced in their business. The results indicate that international brand awareness and the hotel owners‘ long-term goals are the core factors affecting the choice. In practice, we conclude that there isn‘t a ‗one size fits all‘ strategy. Nevertheless, affiliated hotels experience an operational advantage over non-affiliated ones stemming from the affiliating organization‘s accumulated experience in sales, distribution channels and marketing resources.

A comparative study of the resilience of coal logistics chains in Australia, South Africa and Canada

Au cours des dernières années l'industrie du charbon a connu un essor important. L'importance du charbon dans l'économie mondiale provient d'une demande mondiale soutenue et de niveaux de production en hausse constante. De ce fait, le nombre élevé d'importateurs et d'exportateurs est à l'origine d'un système d'échange complexe où la compétition est féroce. En effet, un nombre grandissant de pays importateurs se partagent les sources d'approvisionnement tandis qu'un nombre limité de pays exportateurs s'efforcent de répondre à la demande tout en essayant de s'accaparer le plus de parts du marché mondial. L'objectif de cette recherche s'inscrit dans ce contexte en démontrant les bénéfices associés aux chaînes logistiques résilientes pour tout acteur de l'industrie soucieux de devancer la compétition. Une analyse de la logistique de l'industrie du charbon permet entre autres de se pencher sur les questions suivantes: Comment les infrastructures influencent-elles la résilience d'une chaîne logistique? Quels risques est-ce que les catastrophes naturelles présentent pour une chaîne logistique? Comment la gouvernance influence-t-elle la résilience d'une chaîne logistique? Une chaîne logistique représente le trajet effectué par un bien ou produit au cours de son cycle de vie, du point d'origine au point de consommation. Ceci étant dit, le meilleur moyen de régler les problèmes inhérents aux chaînes logistiques est de maintenir de hauts niveaux de résilience. Cette recherche évaluera donc la résilience de chaînes logistiques du charbon des industries australienne, sud-africaine et canadienne. Pour ce faire, trois variables seront étudiées: les infrastructures, les catastrophes naturelles et la gouvernance. La comparaison des trois cas à l'étude se fera par un nombre défini d'indicateurs (12 au total) pour chacune des variables étudiées. Les résultats de cette recherche démontrent que la résilience des trois cas à l'étude se ressemble. Cependant, certaines chaînes logistiques détiennent des avantages comparatifs qui améliorent grandement leur résilience et leur compétitivité. Plusieurs sujets de recherche pourraient être utilisés pour compléter cette recherche. L'analyse comparative pourrait être appliquée à d'autres chaînes logistiques pour vérifier la viabilité des résultats. Une analyse semblable pourrait également être entreprise pour le secteur en aval de la chaîne logistique. Finalement, une méthodologie basée sur des interviews pourrait ajouter un regard différent sur les questions abordées.

L’accès et le partage des avantages des savoirs traditionnels en Amérique latine : comment les droits de propriété intellectuelle peuvent empêcher la biopiraterie

Ce travail se situe dans la perspective des études sur la protection des savoirs traditionnels contre la biopiraterie commise par quelques industries pharmaceutiques et cosmétiques. Malgré le débat qui s’est déroulé à ce sujet après la signature de la Convention sur la diversité biologique, ces patrimoines culturels continuent d’être largement menacés. L’étude se propose d’analyser les mécanismes capables de protéger contre la biopiraterie les savoirs traditionnels associés à la biodiversité qui intéressent l’industrie pharmaceutique, et ce, par le biais des droits de propriété intellectuelle existants aussi bien à l’échelle internationale que dans le cadre des législations nationales. Ces mécanismes sont évalués quant à leur efficacité, en vue d’en identifier les plus intéressants, susceptibles d’être adoptés soit par des pays qui ne disposent pas encore de législation en matière de protection des savoirs traditionnels soit pour être utilisés dans le cadre international. Avec cet objectif, le présent travail dressera un panorama concernant la législation du Brésil, du Costa Rica et du Pérou. En outre, seront mises en exergue par la suite les différentes conventions en lien avec les savoirs traditionnels, à savoir la Convention sur la diversité biologique, le Protocole de Nagoya, le Comité intergouvernemental de la propriété intellectuelle relative aux ressources génétiques, aux savoirs traditionnels et au folklore de l’Organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle. L’analyse menée a mis en lumière un certain nombre de dispositions assez efficaces pouvant être utilisées de façon optimale par des pays ne disposant pas de législation en matière de protection des savoirs traditionnels ou encore pouvant être intégrées dans des traités internationaux en la matière, afin de rendre lesdits traités plus efficaces sur le plan pratique. Bien plus, ladite analyse démontre que l’Accord sur les aspects des droits de propriété intellectuelle qui touchent au commerce est actuellement l’accord le plus coercitif et le plus contraignant lorsque l’on veut mener une lutte efficace contre la biopiraterie. Par ailleurs, en s’appuyant sur des fondements théoriques constructivistes, notre analyse essaye de démontrer que les pays du Sud, riches en biodiversité et en savoirs traditionnels, peuvent véritablement impulser un mouvement en faveur d’une législation internationale efficace en matière de protection des savoirs traditionnels