Software to productive and reproductive control of goats: PROCAPRI

PROCAPRI is a software to productive and reproductive control of goats developed with the aim of assisting the goat producers in their decisions, to make a representative data set of Brazilian goats production and providing research information. It has five modules: Administration, Association, UNESP, Maintenance, and Utilities. It has been available since October 1994, and it has been amply used, with 157 copies distributed until April 1998 in Brazil and other countries.

Avaliação da adoção de tecnologias na produção de leite caprino

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Claroscuros del desarrollo sustentable y la lucha contra la desertificación: las racionalidades económicas en el ojo de la tormenta : Estudio de caso con productores caprinos de tierras secas (Mendoza, Argentina)

El trabajo analiza la situación de conflicto que se presenta en las tierras secas de Mendoza, entre productores caprinos y programas de lucha contra la desertificación, a propósito de las prácticas productivas y el uso de los recursos naturales.Se aborda un caso de estudio situado en el extremo noreste de la provincia de Mendoza, polo hiperárido de la región, gravemente afectado por procesos de desertificación, con una extensión de 10.007km2 y poblado por 3015 habitantes, donde dominan las pequeñas explotaciones caprinas. Estudios previos señalan que las principales causas de la desertificación de la zona son la tala de bosque nativo y el sobrepastoreo que ocasionan las inadecuadas prácticas de producción ganadera. En respuesta a ello, las acciones de lucha contra la desertificación se orientan a "concientizar" y "capacitar" a los productores e impulsan procesos de cambio productivo. Las propuestas en curso insisten en que, de mantenerse los actuales niveles de presión sobre los recursos, en el futuro se amplificarán las ya graves condiciones de pobreza y desertificación. Sin embargo, a pesar de los esfuerzos y fondos invertidos los productores parecen obstinados en sus actuales estrategias de producción y en la dinámica de uso de los recursos naturales que de ellas derivan. ¿Cómo explicar que no tomen otras opciones productivas que impliquen mayores beneficios económicos y mejores equilibrios ambientales? ¿Cómo explicar que actúen, al menos en apariencia, en contra de sus propios beneficios? Haciendo crítica de las explicaciones que ubican en el epicentro del problema "la cultura" de los productores, este trabajo busca realizar un aporte a través del análisis de tres dimensiones: 1- La oferta ambiental que es soporte de las actividades productivas, 2- Los ingresos que las unidades de producción alcanzan y 3- Los egresos que enfrentan en concepto de subsistencia. El trabajo se despliega haciendo uso de una metodología mixta que resulta de la combinación de técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas.

Claroscuros del desarrollo sustentable y la lucha contra la desertificación: las racionalidades económicas en el ojo de la tormenta : Estudio de caso con productores caprinos de tierras secas (Mendoza, Argentina)

El trabajo analiza la situación de conflicto que se presenta en las tierras secas de Mendoza, entre productores caprinos y programas de lucha contra la desertificación, a propósito de las prácticas productivas y el uso de los recursos naturales.Se aborda un caso de estudio situado en el extremo noreste de la provincia de Mendoza, polo hiperárido de la región, gravemente afectado por procesos de desertificación, con una extensión de 10.007km2 y poblado por 3015 habitantes, donde dominan las pequeñas explotaciones caprinas. Estudios previos señalan que las principales causas de la desertificación de la zona son la tala de bosque nativo y el sobrepastoreo que ocasionan las inadecuadas prácticas de producción ganadera. En respuesta a ello, las acciones de lucha contra la desertificación se orientan a "concientizar" y "capacitar" a los productores e impulsan procesos de cambio productivo. Las propuestas en curso insisten en que, de mantenerse los actuales niveles de presión sobre los recursos, en el futuro se amplificarán las ya graves condiciones de pobreza y desertificación. Sin embargo, a pesar de los esfuerzos y fondos invertidos los productores parecen obstinados en sus actuales estrategias de producción y en la dinámica de uso de los recursos naturales que de ellas derivan. ¿Cómo explicar que no tomen otras opciones productivas que impliquen mayores beneficios económicos y mejores equilibrios ambientales? ¿Cómo explicar que actúen, al menos en apariencia, en contra de sus propios beneficios? Haciendo crítica de las explicaciones que ubican en el epicentro del problema "la cultura" de los productores, este trabajo busca realizar un aporte a través del análisis de tres dimensiones: 1- La oferta ambiental que es soporte de las actividades productivas, 2- Los ingresos que las unidades de producción alcanzan y 3- Los egresos que enfrentan en concepto de subsistencia. El trabajo se despliega haciendo uso de una metodología mixta que resulta de la combinación de técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas.

Claroscuros del desarrollo sustentable y la lucha contra la desertificación: las racionalidades económicas en el ojo de la tormenta : Estudio de caso con productores caprinos de tierras secas (Mendoza, Argentina)

El trabajo analiza la situación de conflicto que se presenta en las tierras secas de Mendoza, entre productores caprinos y programas de lucha contra la desertificación, a propósito de las prácticas productivas y el uso de los recursos naturales.Se aborda un caso de estudio situado en el extremo noreste de la provincia de Mendoza, polo hiperárido de la región, gravemente afectado por procesos de desertificación, con una extensión de 10.007km2 y poblado por 3015 habitantes, donde dominan las pequeñas explotaciones caprinas. Estudios previos señalan que las principales causas de la desertificación de la zona son la tala de bosque nativo y el sobrepastoreo que ocasionan las inadecuadas prácticas de producción ganadera. En respuesta a ello, las acciones de lucha contra la desertificación se orientan a "concientizar" y "capacitar" a los productores e impulsan procesos de cambio productivo. Las propuestas en curso insisten en que, de mantenerse los actuales niveles de presión sobre los recursos, en el futuro se amplificarán las ya graves condiciones de pobreza y desertificación. Sin embargo, a pesar de los esfuerzos y fondos invertidos los productores parecen obstinados en sus actuales estrategias de producción y en la dinámica de uso de los recursos naturales que de ellas derivan. ¿Cómo explicar que no tomen otras opciones productivas que impliquen mayores beneficios económicos y mejores equilibrios ambientales? ¿Cómo explicar que actúen, al menos en apariencia, en contra de sus propios beneficios? Haciendo crítica de las explicaciones que ubican en el epicentro del problema "la cultura" de los productores, este trabajo busca realizar un aporte a través del análisis de tres dimensiones: 1- La oferta ambiental que es soporte de las actividades productivas, 2- Los ingresos que las unidades de producción alcanzan y 3- Los egresos que enfrentan en concepto de subsistencia. El trabajo se despliega haciendo uso de una metodología mixta que resulta de la combinación de técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas.

Antibiofilm activity of Brasilian propolis extracts against Staphylococcus aureus producers isolated from goat and sheep mastitic milk

The aim of this study was to investigate the action of inhibiting S. aureus biofilm formation, and the ability to eliminate formed biofilm, by alcoholic extracts of green, red and brown propolis from Brazil. Ten isolates of S. aureus have been tested, 8 field isolates, 1 MRSA and 1 ATCC 25923, by microplate quantitative method. For the evaluation of inhibitory action, the isolates were inoculated, in triplicate, in TSB 1% glucose in the presence of green (1), red (2) and brown (4) propolis extracts. Biofilm formation was evaluated by optical reading, compared to a negative control consisting of a mixture of TSB and extract. For biofilm elimination assay, extracts were added to plates with 24h cultures of the same isolates. Assays were repeated three times on three different days. Eight out of the 10 isolates produced less biofilm in the presence of the green propolis extracts, so the inhibitory effect is 80%. Brown propolis extracts inhibited the formation of biofilm in 10% to 70% of the isolates and the red extracts in 30% to 80%. Regarding the biofilm elimination activity, green propolis extract was positive for 9 out of the 10 isolates (90%), the brown propolis extracts were positive for 0% to 100% isolates and red extracts for 0% to 10% isolates.

A survey of the meat goat industry in Queensland and New South Wales. 1. General property information, goat and pasture management.

This study aimed to survey farmers knowledge and practices on the management of pastures, stocking rates and markets of meat goat-producing enterprises within New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. An interview-based questionnaire was conducted on properties that derived a significant proportion of their income from goats. The survey covered 31 landholders with a total land area of 567 177 ha and a reported total of 160 010 goats. A total of 55% (17/31) of producers were involved in both opportunistic harvesting and commercial goat operations, and 45% (14/31) were specialised seedstock producers. Goats were the most important livestock enterprise on 55% (17/31) of surveyed properties. Stocking rate varied considerably (0.3?9.3 goats/ha) within and across surveyed properties and was found to be negatively associated with property size and positively associated with rainfall. Overall, 81% (25/31) of producers reported that the purpose of running goats on their properties was to target international markets. Producers also cited the importance of targeting markets as a way to increase profitability. Fifty-three percent of producers were located over 600 km from a processing plant and the high cost of freight can limit the continuity of goats supplied to abattoirs. Fencing was an important issue for goat farmers, with many producers acknowledging this could potentially add to capital costs associated with better goat management and production. Producers in the pastoral regions appear to have a low investment in pasture development and opportunistic goat harvesting appears to be an important source of income.

Improvements in sustainable energy and water practice in the food processing industry : an in depth analysis of the manufacture of Ghee at the Butter Producers' Cooperative Federation Limited, Brisbane

This thesis is a documented energy audit and long term study of energy and water reduction in a ghee factory. Global production of ghee exceeds 4 million tonnes annually. The factory in this study refines dairy products by non-traditional centrifugal separation and produces 99.9% pure, canned, crystallised Anhydrous Milk Fat (Ghee). Ghee is traditionally made by batch processing methods. The traditional method is less efficient, than centrifugal separation. An in depth systematic investigation was conducted of each item of major equipment including; ammonia refrigeration, a steam boiler, canning equipment, pumps, heat exchangers and compressed air were all fine-tuned. Continuous monitoring of electrical usage showed that not every initiative worked, others had pay back periods of less than a year. In 1994-95 energy consumption was 6,582GJ and in 2003-04 it was 5,552GJ down 16% for a similar output. A significant reduction in water usage was achieved by reducing the airflow in the refrigeration evaporative condensers to match the refrigeration load. Water usage has fallen 68% from18ML in 1994-95 to 5.78ML in 2003-04. The methods reported in this thesis could be applied to other industries, which have similar equipment, and other ghee manufacturers.

Theoretical critique of the work of art : co-producers in research

The ways in which the "traditional" tension between words and artwork can be perceived has huge implications for understanding the relationship between critical or theoretical interpretation, art and practice, and research. Within the practice-led PhD this can generate a strange sense of disjuncture for the artist-researcher particularly when engaged in writing the exegesis. This paper aims to explore this tension through an introductory investigation of the work of the philosopher Andrew Benjamin. For Benjamin criticism completes the work of art. Criticism is, with the artwork, at the centre of our experience and theoretical understanding of art – in this way the work of art and criticism are co-productive. The reality of this co-productivity can be seen in three related articles on the work of American painter Marcia Hafif. In each of these articles there are critical negotiations of just how the work of art operates as art and theoretically, within the field of art. This focus has important ramifications for the writing and reading of the exegesis within the practice-led research higher degree. By including art as a significant part of the research reporting process the artist-researcher is also staking a claim as to the critical value of their work. Rather than resisting the tension between word and artwork the practice-led artist-researcher need to embrace the co-productive nature of critical word and creative work to more completely articulate their practice and its significance as research. The ideal venue and opportunity for this is the exegesis.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) - genotyping of Community Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, including the subtyping of PVL toxin producers using Real-Time PCR

Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen that causes a variety of infections including soft tissue infections, impetigo, septicemia toxic shock and scalded skin syndrome. Traditionally, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was considered a Hospital-Acquired (HA) infection. It is now recognised that the frequency of infections with MRSA is increasing in the community, and that these infections are not originating from hospital environments. A 2007 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that Staphylococcus aureus is the most important cause of serious and fatal infections in the USA. Community-Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) are genetically diverse and distinct, meaning they are able to be identified and tracked by way of genotyping. Genotyping of MRSA using Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is a rapid and robust method for monitoring MRSA, specifically ST93 (Queensland Clone) dissemination in the community. It has been shown that a large proportion of CA-MRSA infections in Queensland and New South Wales are caused by ST93. The rationale for this project was that SNP analysis of MLST genes is a rapid and cost-effective method for genotyping and monitoring MRSA dissemination in the community. In this study, 16 different sequence types (ST) were identified with 41% of isolates identified as ST93 making it the predominate clone. Males and Females were infected equally with an average patient age of 45yrs. Phenotypically, all of the ST93 had an identical antimicrobial resistance pattern. They were resistant to the β-lactams – Penicillin, Flu(di)cloxacillin and Cephalothin but sensitive to all other antibiotics tested. Virulence factors play an important role in allowing S. aureus to cause disease by way of colonising, replication and damage to the host. One virulence factor of particular interest is the toxin Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), which is composed of two separate proteins encoded by two adjacent genes. PVL positive CA-MRSA are shown to cause recurrent, chronic or severe skin and soft tissue infections. As a result, it is important that PVL positive CA-MRSA is genotyped and tracked. Especially now that CA-MRSA infections are more prevalent than HA-MRSA infections and are now deemed endemic in Australia. 98% of all isolates in this study tested positive for the PVL toxin gene. This study showed that PVL is present in many different community based ST, not just ST93, which were all PVL positive. With this toxin becoming entrenched in CA-MRSA, genotyping would provide more accurate data and a way of tracking the dissemination. PVL gene can be sub-typed using an allele-specific Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) followed by High resolution meltanalysis. This allows the identification of PVL subtypes within the CA-MRSA population and allow the tracking of these clones in the community.

The relationship between entertainment producers and higher education providers

Cameron, Verhoeven and Court have noted that many screen producers do not see their tertiary education as being beneficial to their careers. We hypothesise that Universities have traditionally not trained students in producing skills because of the division of labour between Faculties of Art and Faculties of Business; and because their focus on art rather than entertainment has downplayed the importance of producing. This article presents a SOTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) whole-of-program evaluation of a new cross-Faculty Bachelor of Entertainment Industries at QUT, devoted to providing students with graduate attributes for producing including creative skills (understanding story, the aesthetics of entertainment, etc), business skills (business models, finance, marketing, etc) and legal skills (contracts, copyright, etc). Stakeholder evaluations suggest that entertainment producers are highly supportive of this new course.

2nd Australian producer survey 2012 : understanding Australian screen content producers : wave 2

This report presents the top-line findings of the Australian Screen Producer survey conducted in December 2011. The report was prepared by Bergent Research and commissioned by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation (CCI), Queensland University of Technology, with assistance from the Centre for Screen Business, Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS). The 2011 producer survey was a national study of the demographics, motivations, sentiments and activities of screen producers across four industry segments: Film, Television, Commercial and Digital Media. This survey is the second Australian Screen Producer survey and builds upon research undertaken in the Australian Screen Content Producer Survey conducted in 2009. The 2011 study is referred to in this report as Wave 2 and the 2009 study is referred to as Wave 1.

Resources for improving journalists' understanding of the economic and financial parameters of Australia's agricultural and commodity producers

The research addresses how an understanding of the fundamentals of economics will better inform general journalists who report on issues or events affecting rural and regional Australia. The research draws on practice-based experience of the author, formal economics studies, interviews with news editors from Australian television news organisations, and interviews from leading economists. A guidebook has also been written to help journalists apply economic theories to their reporting. The guidebook enables reporters to think strategically and consider the 'big picture' when they inform society about policies, commodity trade, the environment, or any issues involving rural and regional Australia.