Soil profile internal drainage for a central pivot fertigated coffee crop

Coffee cultivation via central-pivot fertigation can lead to fertilizer losses by soil profile internal drainage when water application is excessive and soils have low water retention and cation adsorption capacities. This study analyses the deep water losses from the top 1 m sandy soil layer of east Bahia, Brazil, cultivated with coffee at a high technology level (central-pivot fertigation), using above normal N fertilizer rates. The deep drainage (Q) estimation is made through the application of a climatologic water balance (CWB) program having as input direct measures of irrigation and rainfall, climatological data from weather stations, and measured soil water retention characteristics. The aim of the study is to contribute to the understanding of the hydric regime of coffee crops managed by central-pivot irrigation, analyzing three scenarios (Sc): i) rainfall only, ii) rainfall and irrigation full year, and iii) rainfall and irrigation dry season only. Annual Q values for the 2008/2009 agricultural year were: Sc i = 811.5 mm; Sc ii = 1010.5 mm; and Sc iii = 873.1 mm, so that the irrigation interruption in the wet season reduced Q by 15.7%, without the appearance of water deficit periods. Results show that the use of the CWB program is a convenient tool for the evaluation of Q under the cited conditions.

Scenario Planning and Evaluation of Pricing Strategies in the Portuguese Bulk LPG Market

Portugal has the largest LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) share of primary energy demand in the EU (about 5%). Due to the increasing international cost of LPG in the last years and the high price sensitivity of the consumers the preference for substitute energy sources in new and existing consumers has been increasing. To select the kind of energy, some consumer estimate and compare the total costs while others follow agents (equipment sellers) recommendations. It takes time to build agents perception about the most advantageous source of energy, which is seen as an important resource that drives client resource accumulation and retention. Marketing strategies have to take into consideration some market dynamic effects derived from the accumulation and depletion of these resources. A simple system dynamics model was built, combined with Economic Value Added framework, to evaluate some pricing strategies under different scenarios of LPG international cost.

Scenario Planning and Evaluation of Pricing Strategies in the Portuguese Bulk LPG Market

Portugal has the largest LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) share of primary energy demand in the EU (about 5%). Due to the increasing international cost of LPG in the last years and the high price sensitivity of the consumers the preference for substitute energy sources in new and existing consumers has been increasing. To select the kind of energy, some consumer estimate and compare the total costs while others follow agents (equipment sellers) recommendations. It takes time to build agents perception about the most advantageous source of energy, which is seen as an important resource that drives client resource accumulation and retention. Marketing strategies have to take into consideration some market dynamic effects derived from the accumulation and depletion of these resources. A simple system dynamics model was built, combined with Economic Value Added framework, to evaluate some pricing strategies under different scenarios of LPG international cost.

Quality of life in dilated cardiomyopathy with refractory chronic heart failure undergoing devices implantation

Heart failure is the final stage of most of cardiac diseases. It is a complex syndrome in which the patients should have the following features: symptoms of heart failure, typically shortness of breath at rest or during exertion, and/or fatigue; signs of fluid retention such as pulmonary congestion or ankle swelling; and objective evidence of an abnormality of the structure or function of the heart at rest. This progressive syndrome as a high incidence and prevalence and poor prognosis: four-year mortality is around 50% with 40% of the patients admitted to hospital dying or readmitted within a year. With ageing, many patients will develop chronic heart failure, which, because of its symptoms, patient���s awareness of their risk of dying, and the effects of therapy, together with frequent hospitalizations, has considerable impact on patient���s health-related quality of life.

Optimal insurance with counterparty default risk

We study the design of optimal insurance contracts when the insurer can default on its obligations. In our model default arises endogenously from the interaction of the insurance premium, the indemnity schedule and the insurer���s assets. This allows us to understand the joint effect of insolvency risk and background risk on efficient contracts. The results may shed light on the aggregate risk retention sched- ules observed in catastrophe reinsurance markets, and can assist in the design of (re)insurance programs and guarantee funds.

Assessment of guanylin peptides system in type 2 diabetes

Os doentes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 apresentam predisposi����o para a reten����o de s��dio e s��o frequentemente hipertensos. No entanto, os mecanismos implicados na dificuldade do rim diab��tico em mobilizar o s��dio s��o, ainda, pouco compreendidos. Os pept��deos da fam��lia das guanilinas est��o envolvidos na regula����o do transporte de electr��litos e ��gua nos epit��lios intestinal e renal, atrav��s da activa����o do receptor guanilato ciclase-C (GC-C) e subsequente liberta����o intracelular de GMPc. O objectivo do presente estudo foi a avalia����o da actividade do sistema dos pept��deos das guanilinas (SPG) e do seu papel na regula����o do balan��o de s��dio num modelo animal de diabetes tipo 2. Ratinhos machos C57BL/6 foram submetidos a uma dieta com alto teor de gordura e rica em hidratos de carbono simples (ratinhos diab��ticos) ou a uma dieta normal (ratinhos controlo). A express��o renal e intestinal da guanilina (GN), uroguanilina (UGN) e do receptor GC-C assim como os n��veis de GMPc na urina e plasma foram avaliados nos ratinhos controlo e diab��ticos, durante a ingest��o de dietas normo (NS) e hiper-salina (HS). Nos ratinhos diab��ticos, durante a dieta NS verificou-se um aumento significativo da press��o arterial que foi acompanhado de redu����o da express��o do ARNm da GN, UGN e do GC-C no intestino e de aumento da express��o de ARNm da UGN no rim. A dieta HS induziu um aumento da express��o do ARNm da UGN no jejuno dos ratinhos controlo mas n��o nos diab��ticos. Os ratinhos diab��ticos apresentaram n��veis urin��rios de GMPc inferiores aos controlos, em condi����es de dieta NS. Em conclus��o, os nossos resultados sugerem que na diabetes tipo 2 ocorre uma redu����o da actividade intestinal do SPG que �� acompanhada por um aumento compensat��rio da actividade renal do SPG. A diminui����o da actividade do SPG intestinal na diabetes tipo 2 deve-se n��o s�� a uma redu����o da express��o dos pept��deos GN e UGN, mas tamb��m a uma redu����o da express��o do seu receptor, GC-C. Estes resultados sugerem que o SPG pode contribuir para a sensibilidade ao s��dio na diabetes.

Imunorreatividade em material histol��gico arquivado durante um, quatro e sete anos

Quando aplicada no ��mbito da Anatomia Patol��gica, a imuno-histoqu��mica tem constitu��do um poderoso meio de identifica����o/caracteriza����o de v��rias estruturas histol��gicas, permitindo delinear progn��stico e terap��utica para v��rias patologias. Tendo em conta que as amostras histol��gicas analisadas podem ser conservadas ao longo de v��rios anos, interessa avaliar a manuten����o da antigenicidade ao longo do tempo, de forma a garantir a qualidade final da t��cnica quando aplicada em material de arquivo. Assim, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a imunorreatividade do material histol��gico arquivado durante um, quatro e sete anos. Foi utilizado material histol��gico de pr��stata, pulm��o e mama, no qual se procedeu �� imunomarca����o de citoqueratinas (Clones AE1/AE3), CD34 e prote��na p63, por m��todo de mult��mero/HRP no sistema Ventana BenchMark Ultra��. Foi realizado um ensaio com recupera����o antig��nica por alta temperatura (RAAT) e outro sem esta etapa. As imunomarca����es (n=162) foram classificadas por tr��s avaliadores independentes num escore quantitativo final (escala 0-100). O par m��dia/desvio-padr��o do escore final para os casos com sete anos foi de 69,06/19,05, para os casos com quatro anos foi de 66,47/20,73 e para os casos com um ano foi de 69,08/19,35, n��o se tendo encontrado diferen��as estatisticamente significativas. Os casos sem RAAT obtiveram um par m��dia/desvio-padr��o de 54,90/17,00, enquanto os casos com RAAT obtiveram 81,50/11,60, o que revelou diferen��as estatisticamente significativas (p=0,000). Para os casos em estudo conclui-se que o fator ���tempo de arquivo��� n��o est�� associado a altera����es da imunorreatividade. A import��ncia da RAAT na obten����o de imunomarca����o de qualidade sai fortemente real��ada. ABSTRACT - When applied within the framework of Pathology, immunohistochemistry has been a powerful means of identification/characterization of various histological structures, allowing to outline prognosis and therapy for various diseases. Given that the analyzed histological samples can be preserved for several years, it is interesting to assess the retention of antigenicity over time in order to ensure the quality of the final technique, when applied to stored material. Thus, the main objective of this study was to compare the immunoreactivity of the histological material archived for one, four and seven years. It was used histological material from prostate, lung and breast, in which it was performed the immunostaining of cytokeratins (clones AE1/AE3), CD34 and p63 protein by the method of multimer/HRP system on a Ventana BenchMark Ultra��. It was conducted a test with heat induced epitope retrieval (HIER) and another one without this step. The stained slides (n=162) were classified by three independent assessors using a quantitative score (scale 0-100). The pair mean/standard deviation of the score for cases with seven years was 69,06/19,05, for cases with four years was 66,47/20,73 and for cases with one year was 69,08/19,35, which did not revealed any statistically significant differences. The cases without HIER had a couple mean/standard deviation of 54.90/17.00 while the cases with HIER obtained 81.50/11.60, which revealed statistically significant differences (p=0.000). For this case study it was concluded that the factor archive period is not associated with changes in immunoreactivity. The importance of HIER in obtaining high quality immunostaining comes out strongly highlighted.

Volunteering for a lifetime? Volunteers��� intention to stay in Portuguese hospitals

Purpose ��� The current study aims to study Hospital volunteers��� intention to stay in an organization through understanding motivation, management factors and satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach ��� A total of 304 Hospital volunteers, mainly women, completed a questionnaire measuring motivations, management factors, satisfaction and intention to stay. In this study structural equation modelling was used. Findings ��� Results demonstrate that there is a positive relationship between (a) motivation and satisfaction, (b) management factors and satisfaction, (c) satisfaction and intention to stay and (d) motivation and management factors. These results present important outcomes that should be reflected in the way organizations operate. Research limitations/implications ��� This research was restricted to a health care context and to the opinion of only one stakeholder (volunteers). We assume volunteer intent to stay is a main predictor of retention. However, there are other variables not considered here that might influence intent to stay. Practical implications ��� This research indicates aspects which are most valued by volunteers and allows NPOs to design and establish appropriate and assertive management policies. Originality/value ��� The value of this paper is that it looks at understanding what factors influence volunteers��� intention to stay.

Motivations in volunteer work

The objective of this paper is to review and discuss the literature about volunteers��� motivations to donate their time to NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations). According to Parboteeah, Cullenb & Lim (2004) management research has not paid much attention to voluntarism, however, voluntarism is a substantial part of productive work for many societies. Wilson & Pimm (1996) show that in Great Britain about 39% of the adult population has been involved in some volunteer activity for some period of time. In the U.S.A. these values reach 50% (Wilson & Pimm, 1996). Considering the benefits that voluntarism can bring to an organisation, we understand that more attention must be devoted to this phenomenon. The more an organisation knows volunteers, the better this organisation will be able to meet the needs and expectations of these individuals. We present a literature review that illustrates and compares the different motivations associated with volunteer work. The paper includes a bibliographical databases search in specialised journals. The search used the key words ���motivations��� and ���voluntarism��� (in the heading and text body) and covered all numbers between 2000 and 2007. We identify the existence of repeated motivations (Holmberg & S��derlung, 2005; Prouteau & Wolff, 2008; Soupourmas & Ironmonger, 2001; Yavas & Riecken, 1997), which allow the establishment of a typology of volunteers��� motivations, based on four categories: altruism, social needs, self-esteem, learning and self-development. Finally we identify three main gaps in the literature that justify further research. First, research focusing on the differences between motivations related to volunteers��� "Attraction" versus "Retention" in NGO���s is nil. Second, the great majority of the studies rely on north American (USA and Canada) and Australian context, which demands for further research in European countries. Third, the majority of NGOs researched are related to sport, art or the environment, and it would be interesting to explore the relationship between motivation and NGO type. These questions may obtain interesting answers for NGO management, in particular with regard to volunteer attraction and retention.

Motivations and management factors of volunteer work in nonprofit organisations: a literature review

The objective of this paper is to review and discuss the literature about volunteers��� motivations to donate their time to NPOs and the management factors that can influence volunteer work. Firstly, the paper illustrates and compares the different types of motivation followed by a presentation of a typology that organises the volunteers��� motivations into four types: (i) altruism, (ii) belonging, (iii) ego and social recognition and (iv) development and learning. Secondly we discuss the key management factors in volunteering: recruitment, training and rewarding. Finally, we present four gaps in the literature that justify the scope for further research: (i) omission of differences between motivations related to volunteers��� "Attraction" versus "Retention"; (ii) focus of the research on the USA, UK and Australia context; (iii) absence of comparative analyses that relate motivations by NPO types and (iv) comprehension of how management factors (recruitment, training and rewarding) influence volunteers��� satisfaction and retention.

Volunteers and management factors in nonprofit organisations: a brief literature review

The objective of this paper is to review and discuss the literature about the management factors that can influence volunteer work. First we present the different management factors. This discussion is followed by the identification of the key management factors in volunteering: recruitment, training and rewarding. Finally, we present two main gaps in the literature that justify the scope for further research: (i) how management factors (recruitment, training and rewarding) influence volunteers��� satisfaction and retention; and (ii) predominance of the investigations in the North American context, followed by English and Australian context.

As motiva����es no trabalho volunt��rio

Este trabalho rev�� e discute a literatura sobre as motiva����es dos volunt��rios para doarem o seu tempo ��s ONG���s. Quanto melhor uma organiza����o conhecer os volunt��rios, mais essa organiza����o poder�� ir de encontro ��s necessidades e expectativas desses mesmos indiv��duos. Por isso, compreender as motiva����es que podem levar um indiv��duo a doar o seu tempo a uma determinada organiza����o �� relevante na gest��o das ONG���s. Primeiro, o artigo discute o estado da arte do voluntariado formal e as motiva����es dos indiv��duos volunt��rios n��o dirigentes. Apresenta-se uma pesquisa a bases de dados bibliogr��ficas, que inclui revistas especializadas na investiga����o de voluntariado. Depois, o artigo mostra e compara os diferentes tipos de motiva����es associadas ao trabalho volunt��rio e prop��e uma tipologia que agrupa as motiva����es dos volunt��rios em quatro tipos: altru��smo, perten��a, ego e reconhecimento social e aprendizagem e desenvolvimento. Por fim, efectua-se uma an��lise que indica tr��s lacunas na literatura das motiva����es dos volunt��rios que justificam investiga����o adicional: (i) a omiss��o de diferen��as entre as motiva����es relacionadas com a ���Atrac����o��� versus a ���Reten����o��� dos volunt��rios; (ii) a focaliza����o das investiga����es no contexto norte-americano e australiano; e (iii) a aus��ncia de an��lises comparativas que relacionem as motiva����es por tipos de ONG���s.

Fatty liver characterization and classification by ultrasound

Steatosis, also known as fatty liver, corresponds to an abnormal retention of lipids within the hepatic cells and reflects an impairment of the normal processes of synthesis and elimination of fat. Several causes may lead to this condition, namely obesity, diabetes, or alcoholism. In this paper an automatic classification algorithm is proposed for the diagnosis of the liver steatosis from ultrasound images. The features are selected in order to catch the same characteristics used by the physicians in the diagnosis of the disease based on visual inspection of the ultrasound images. The algorithm, designed in a Bayesian framework, computes two images: i) a despeckled one, containing the anatomic and echogenic information of the liver, and ii) an image containing only the speckle used to compute the textural features. These images are computed from the estimated RF signal generated by the ultrasound probe where the dynamic range compression performed by the equipment is taken into account. A Bayes classifier, trained with data manually classified by expert clinicians and used as ground truth, reaches an overall accuracy of 95% and a 100% of sensitivity. The main novelties of the method are the estimations of the RF and speckle images which make it possible to accurately compute textural features of the liver parenchyma relevant for the diagnosis.

Evaluation of 99mTc-Sestamibi as a potential tool to investigate PgP activity in inflammation

Introduction: In the XXI Century ���s Society the scientific investigation process has been growing steadily , and the field of the pharmaceutical research is one of the most enthusiastic and relevant . Here, it is very important to correlate observed functional alterations with possibly modified drug bio distribution patterns . Cancer, inflammation and inf ection are processes that induce many molecular intermediates like cytokines, chemokines and other chemical complexes that can alter the pharmacokinetics of many drugs. One cause of such changes is thought to be the modulator action of these complexes in t he P - Glyco p rotein activity, because they can act like inducers/inhibitors of MDR - 1 expression. This protein results from the expression of MDR - 1 gene, and acts as an ATP energy - dependent efflux pump, with their substrates including many drugs , like antiretrovirals, anticancers, anti - infectives, immunosuppressants, steroids or opioids . Objectives: Because of the lack of methods to provide helpful information in the investigation of in vivo molecular changes in Pgp activity during infection/infl ammation processes, and its value in the explanation of the altered drug pharmacokinetic, this paper want to evaluate the potential utility of 99m Tc - Sestamibi scintigraphy during this kind of health sciences investigation. Although the a im is indeed to create a technique to the in vivo study of Pgp activity, this preliminary Project only reaches the in vitro study phase, assumed as the first step in a n evaluation period for a new tool development. Materials and Methods: For that reason , we are performing in vitro studies of influx and efflux of 99m Tc - Sestamibi ( that is a substrate of Pgp) in hepatocytes cell line (HepG2). We are interested in clarify the cellular behavior of this radiopharmaceutical in Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) stimulated cells ( well known in vitro model of inflammation) to possibly approve this methodology. To validate the results, the Pgp expression will be finally evaluated using Western Blot technique. Results: Up to this moment , we still don���t have the final results, but we have already enough data to let us believe that LPS stimulation induce a downregulation of MDR - 1, and consequently Pgp, which could conduce to a prolonged retention of 99m Tc - Sestamibi in the inflamed cells . Conclusions: If and when this methodology demonstrate the promising results we expect, one will be able to con clude that Nuclear Medicine is an important tool to help evidence based research also on this specific field .

Controlo de ��guas do processo e optimiza����o da produ����o de papel

Na F��brica de Papel da Ponte Redonda fabricam-se sacos de papel multi-folhas e papel reciclado do tipo Kraft. Tendo em considera����o a primeira actividade, �� de grande interesse optimizar o processo de fabrico de papel com vista a incorporara a m��xima taxa de papel produzido internamente nas diferentes camadas dos sacos de papel. Os pap��is de maior interesse s��o os do tipo Fluting e Liners, tendo sido produzidos em 2010 um total de 4,9 mil toneladas, ou seja 90% de todo o papel fabricado em 2010, correspondendo a a 4 mil toneladas de pap��is do tipo Liners e 0,9 mil toneladas para os pap��is do tipo Fluting. Nos pap��is do tipo Liners incluem-se os pap��is do tipo Test-Liner e Kraft-Liner, representando em termos produtivos valores id��nticos. No ��mbito deste trabalho, em que se pretendeu controlar as ��guas do processo e optimizar a produ����o de papel, foram introduzidos uma unidade de flutua����o e um sistema que permitisse regular a consist��ncia da suspens��o fibrosa �� entrada da m��quina do papel, e foram ainda estudadas as possibilidades de adi����o de produtos qu��micos para melhorar as caracter��sticas da pasta assim como um tratamento microbiol��gico mais eficaz para todo o processo. Para se avaliar se as medidas implementadas teriam um impacto positivo na qualidade desses dois tipos de pap��is, desenvolveu-se o trabalho em duas fases: a primeira envolve a introdu����o de um sistema de flutua����o e de um sistema de controlo de consist��ncia da pasta, assim como a selec����o de produtos qu��micos a adicionar ao processo. A segunda fase consistiu na avalia����o do efeito destas medidas nas caracter��sticas do papel fabricado. Para o efeito foram escolhidos dois tipos de papel e de diferentes gramagens, nomeadamente Test-Liner de 80 g/m2 e Fluting de 110 g/m2. Introduziu-se um flutuador com o objectivo de tratar parte das ��guas do processo de fabrico com vista a serem reutilizadas em determinadas aplica����es poss��veis para a qualidade da ��gua obtida (lavagens e ��gua do processo), de modo a conseguir-se uma poupan��a de ��gua, assim como aproveitar-se as lamas resultantes, ricas em fibra de celulose, para utiliz��-las como mat��ria-prima. Foi introduzido um regulador de consist��ncia no processo da Ponte Redonda com o objectivo de alimentar de uma forma constante a consist��ncia da pasta �� entrada da m��quina do papel proporcionando uma melhor forma����o da folha, devido �� liga����o entre fibras, na direc����o m��quina e direc����o transversal. Esse sistema inovador �� um Regulador de Consist��ncia que vem proporcionar �� m��quina do papel uma alimenta����o em fibra mais constante. O fabrico de papel apenas a partir de fibras de celulose n��o permitir�� obter um papel com as caracter��sticas desejadas para a sua utiliza����o. Para corrigir estas defici��ncias, s��o adicionados produtos qu��micos para atribuir ou melhorar as propriedades dos pap��is. Desta forma considerou-se interessante introduzir no processo um agente de reten����o numa fase posterior �� prepara����o da pasta e antes da chegada �� m��quina de papel, de forma a melhorar as caracter��sticas da suspens��o fibrosa. Assim foi implementado um sistema cuja efic��cia foi avaliada. Concluiu-se que com a sua implementa����o a m��quina de papel apresentou melhores resultados na drenagem e na turbidez da ��gua removida, significando uma ��gua com menor teor de mat��ria suspensa e dissolvida, devido �� melhor agrega����o das fibras dispersas na suspens��o fibrosa, levando a um aumento da drenagem e consequentemente melhor efici��ncia das prensas e secaria. Foi tamb��m elaborado um estudo para introdu����o de um sistema de tratamento microbiol��gico em todo o processo de fabrico de papel, devido �� exist��ncia de microorganismos prejudiciais ao seu fabrico. Concluiu-se que a ��gua clarificada proveniente do flutuador apresentou qualidade aceit��vel para os objectivos pretendidos. No entanto, considerando a efici��ncia de 26,5% na remo����o de s��lidos suspensos ser�� necess��rio mais algum tempo de utiliza����o da ��gua clarificada, cerca de um ano, para avaliar se esta ter�� algum efeito prejudicial nos equipamentos. Verificou-se que devido �� exist��ncia de microrganismos em todo o processo de fabrico de papel ser�� necess��rio efectuar lavagens aos tin��es, tanques e circuitos com alguma regularidade, aproveitando-se as paragens do processo assim como implementar um sistema de tratamento microbiol��gico mais eficaz. Em resultado das medidas implementadas concluiu-se que os pap��is produzidos apresentaram melhorias, tendo-se obtido melhores resultados em todos os ensaios de resist��ncia. No papel do tipo Test-Liner destacam-se os bons resultados nos ensaios de superf��cie, Cobb60 e rebentamento. No caso do par��metro do Cobb60, foi um resultado surpreendente visto que por norma este tipo de pap��is reciclados n��o suportam este ensaio. Concluiu-se tamb��m que as medidas implementadas proporcionaram uma melhor agrega����o e liga����o entre fibras, e melhor forma����o da folha na m��quina do papel proporcionando aos pap��is propriedades f��sico-mec��nicas mais interessantes.