Bovines, as homeothermic animals, are able to keep their body temperature stable, but in tropical and subtropical regions, can suffer pronounced effects of heat stress because the high temperature and relative humidity. The objective was to evaluate the rate of conception and pregnancy loss during the seasons (winter and summer) in crossbred dairy cows. The experiment was conducted on the farm Glória of the Federal University of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Was used a herd with average of 90 lactating cows, submitted to the IATF protocol, being inseminated or placed with a bull, totaling 370 inseminations from may/2007 to march/2010, which were divided for data analysis in three intervals, I, II and III, corresponding may/2007 to march/2008, april/2008 to march/2009, april/2009 to march/2010, respectively. The environment was characterized by average temperature, air humidity and ITU. After analyzing all the winters and summers, and the intervals I and II, there was a higher conception rate in winter than in summer. Already a pregnancy loss between 28 to 45 days after insemination, was not influenced by season of the year. We conclude that the region of Triângulo Mineiro, the warm season of the year negatively affects conception rate in crossbred dairy cows, but does not interfere in pregnancy loss between 28 to 45 days. / Os bovinos, como animais homeotérmicos, são capazes de manter sua temperatura corporal estável, porém em regiões tropicais e subtropicais, podem sofrer efeitos pronunciados do estresse térmico devido temperatura e umidade do ar elevadas. Objetivou-se avaliar a taxa de concepção e perda gestacional durante as estações do ano (inverno e verão) em vacas leiteiras mestiças. A pesquisa foi realizada na Fazenda Glória da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerias, Brasil. Foi utilizado um rebanho com média de 90 vacas em lactação submetidas ao protocolo de IATF, sendo inseminadas ou colocadas com touro, totalizando 370 inseminações de maio/2007 a março/2010, que foram divididos para análise dos dados em três intervalos, I, II e III, correspondente maio/2007 à março/2008, abril/2008 à março/2009, abril/2009 à março/2010, respectivamente. O ambiente foi caracterizado pela média da temperatura, umidade do ar e ITU. Ao analisar todos os invernos e verões, e os intervalos I e II, verificou-se maior taxa de concepção no inverno que no verão. Já a perda gestacional entre 28 a 45 dias pós inseminações, não foi influenciada pela época do ano. Concluiu-se que na região do Triângulo Mineiro, a época quente do ano afeta negativamente a taxa de concepção em vacas leiteiras mestiças, mas não interfere na perda gestacional entre 28 a 45 dias. / Mestre em Ciências Veterinárias

Resumo: Este estudo avaliou o efeito dos níveis de energia (NDT) e proteína bruta (PB) consumidos por vacas de corte durante a gestação sobre o peso dos fetos aos quatro (PF4) e oito meses (PF8) e dos bezerros ao nascimento (PN); sobre o peso pós-natal aos 60 (PV60), 100 (PV100), 180 (PV180) e 205 (PV205) dias de vida; sobre o peso, a idade, o ganho médio diário (GMD), a área de olho de lombo (AOL), o marmoreio e a espessura de gordura (EG) ao abate. Foi conduzida uma revisão sistemática da literatura e uma metanálise (MA) a partir de duas bases de dados eletrônicas (Scopus e Web of Science). A MA para efeitos randomizados foi realizada para cada resultado com as médias do grupo controle e tratado, conduzida com os níveis de NDT e PB em relação às exigências das vacas (NRC, 1996). Foram avaliadas 46 publicações, correspondentes a 50 estudos, 135 ensaios e 9.379 animais. Não houve efeito do consumo de PB e NDT pelas vacas sobre o PF4. Quando as vacas consumiram PB e NDT em níveis iguais às suas exigências, no primeiro (1TRI) e segundo trimestre (2TRI) da gestação, houve redução no PF8 (DM= 2,236kg; P<0,001). O PN reduziu nos bezerros filhos de vacas que consumiram PB igual ou acima das suas exigências no terceiro trimestre da gestação (3TRI) (DM= -2,954kg; P<0,001 e DM= -0,453kg; P=0,045, respectivamente) ou 140% das exigências de NDT (DM= -2,709; P = 0,001). Quando o consumo de NDT foi igual à recomendação do NRC (1996), observou-se aumento de 2,029kg no PN dos bezerros (P<0,001). O PV60 foi inferior quando as vacas consumiram PB (DM= -1,923kg; P<0,001) e NDT (DM= -1,676kg; P<0,001) acima de suas exigências no 3TRI. O PV205 foi 3,122kg inferior (P<0,001) quando as vacas consumiram até 120% de NDT no 2TRI e 3TRI. Os novilhos cujas mães consumiram PB e NDT acima de suas demandas, no 3TRI, foram abatidos 5,5 dias antes (P= 0,015) que os demais. O GMD, o marmoreio e a EG foram superiores em vacas que consumiram NDT e PB acima das suas exigências no 3TRI (P<0,05). Em síntese, os níveis de PB e NDT, consumidos pelas vacas, acima das recomendações do NRC, estão negativamente relacionados com o desenvolvimento dos fetos e com o PN, sendo que esse efeito permanece até os 205 dias de idade. Por outro lado, na fase de terminação o excesso de PB e NDT passa a contribuir com o GMD, o marmoreio e a EG da carcaça das progênies. / Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and crude protein (CP) levels, consumed by cows during gestation, on fetal and postnatal development and on carcass traits. We conducted a systematic review of the literature and a metanalysis (MA) on two electronic databases (Scopus and Web of Science). Inclusion criteria were complete studies using pregnant beef cows receiving different diets that analysed fetus weight at four (FW4) and eight months (FW8), and birth weight of calves (BW); postnatal weight at 60 days (PW60), 100 days (PW100), 180 days (PW180) and 205 days (PW205) of life; and on weight, age, mean daily gain (ADG), loin eye area (LEA), marbling and fat thickness (FT) at slaughter. Random effect MA were conducted for each indicator separately with the mean of control and treated group. The analysis was conducted with the TDN and CP levels in relation to cows’ requirements (NRC, 1996). We evaluated 46 publications, reporting 50 studies, 135 trials and 9,379 animals. The CP and TDN level consumed by pregnant cows showed no change on FW4. Cows that consumed CP and TDN in a level equal to their requirements, in the first (1TRI) and second trimester (2TRI) of gestation, showed a reduction in FW8 (DM= 2,236kg; P<0.001). The BW reduced in cows that consumed CP equal to or above their requirements in the third trimester of gestation (3TRI) (DM= -2.954kg, P<0.001 and DM= -0,453kg, P=0.045, respectively), or 140% of TDN requirements (DM= -2.709, P=0.001). The calves of cows that consumed TDN equal to NRC (1996) requirements, increased the BW in 2,029kg (P<0.001). The PW60 was lower when cows consumed CP (DM= -1.923kg; P<0.001) and TDN (DM= -1.676kg; P<0.001) above their requirements in the 3TRI. The PW205 was lower (DM= 3.12kg; P<0.001) when cows consumed 120% of TDN in the 2TRI and 3TRI. Steers whose mothers consumed CP and TDN above their requirements in the 3TRI were slaughtered 5.5 days earlier (P= 0.015) than the others. The ADG, marbling and FT were higher when cows consumed TDN and CP above the NRC (1996) requirements in the 3TRI (P<0.05). In summary, the CP and TDN levels, consumed by cows, above the NRC recommendations, are negatively associated to fetal development and birth calf weight, and this effect remains until 205 days of age. Alternatively, in the feeder phase, CP and TDN in excess contribute to average daily gain, marbling and fat thickness of the progeny.

A equinocultura é uma atividade de grande importância no Brasil, e no Rio Grande do Sul (RS) se soma sua relevância cultural, no trabalho, esporte e no lazer. A partir disso, este trabalho tem o objetivo de dimensionar e caracterizar a atividade da equinocultura no RS, a partir de dados cedidos pela Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Irrigação, do período de 2010 a 2016. O rebanho equino gaúcho é composto por em torno de 90% de animais com mais de 6 meses de idade, e por aproximadamente 60% de fêmeas. Houve um crescimento de 105.572 animais no período, com um rebanho de 360.257 cavalos em 2010 e de 465.829 em 2016. Quarenta por cento dos equinos estão concentrados na mesorregião sudoeste, que é responsável também pelo maior número de nascimentos anuais. Vem ocorrendo uma queda no número de nascimentos no RS desde 2013, mas, ao mesmo tempo, um aumento expressivo no número de eventos equestres, especialmente os de esporte, assim como no trânsito de cavalos com essa finalidade. No referido período, observou-se um aumento no número de doenças notificadas ao Serviço Veterinário Oficial, especialmente os casos de anemia infecciosa equina e mormo. O aumento no número de eventos, trânsito e doenças notificadas está diretamente relacionado com a maior fiscalização e obrigatoriedade de apresentação de exames negativos para transporte. Diante dos dados analisados, conclui-se que há um crescimento no número de equinos e na circulação dos mesmos dentro do Estado, que a equinocultura é uma atividade importante no RS e que o fluxo de informações sobre a atividade é díficil. / The equine activities and breeding are very important for economy in Brazil, and in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) it is added their cultural, in work and in leisure relevance. Based on that, this study aims to scale out and characterize equine activities and breeding in RS, through data from 2010 to 2016 given by the Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Irrigação. Horse herd in RS is composed by 90% of horses older than 6 months and 60% of mares. There was an increase of 105.572 animals during the referred period, with a herd of 360.257 horses in 2010 and 465.829 in 2016. Forty percent of the horses are located in southweast mesoregion, which is where the majority of annual equine births occur. There is a decrease in birth numbers in RS since 2013 but at the same time, an expressive increase in equestrian events, specially related to sports events, and an increase in horse transportation for sporting purpose. It was possible to observe a raise in number of diseases reported to the Oficial Veterinary Service, especially in equine infectious anemia and glanders cases. The increase in the number of events, transit and notified diseases is directly related to the greater surveillance and obligatory presentation of negative exams for transportation. Considering the analyzed data, it is concluded that there is an increase in the number of equines and their circulation within the State, that the equine breeding is an important activity in RS and that the information flow about the activity is difficult.

O trabalho conduzido na Fazenda Rancho Santa Zelina, Júlio de Castilhos/RS, avaliou o desenvolvimento corporal e o desempenho produtivo de 64 novilhas de um rebanho comercial Angus da concepção aos 13/15 meses de idade, submetidas a quatro sistemas alimentares durante a gestação: pastagem de Brachiaria com suplementação + pastagem natural no terço final de gestação (BRACS-PN}, pastagem natural com suplementação+ pastagem natural no terço final de gestação (PNCS-PN), pastagem de Brachiara + pastagem cultivada de aveia preta e azevém no terço final de gestação (BRA-PC}, pastagem natural + pastagem cultivada de aveia preta e azevém no terço final de gestação (PN-PC). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, quatro sistemas alimentares e duas repetições de área, sendo cada potreiro considerado uma unidade experimental. Para as variáveis de desempenho dos bezerros, cada bezerro foi considerado uma unidade experimental. Ao final dos sistemas alimentares de verão/outono (02/06/2012), as novilhas do BRACS-PN eram mais pesadas (392,0 kg) do que as do BRA-PC (375,5 kg), as quais igualmente superiores as do PNCS-PN (355,0 kg) e PN-PC (354,5 kg). No inverno, novilhas em pastagem natural (BRACS-PN e PNCS-PN) perderam peso, enquanto as em pastagem cultivada ganharam peso e condição corporal. Novilhas do BRA-PC (421 ,O kg) e PN-PC (377,0 kg) tiveram maior peso ao parto, porém as do PN-PC não diferiram do BRACS-PN (323,5 kg) e estas não diferiram das PNCS-PN (306,5 kg). O auxílio ao parto foi maior nas BRA-PC e PN-PC (37,5%), mas não diferiram das PNCS-PN (18,8%). O peso corporal das BRA-PC foi maior (417,4 kg) ao início da monta, mas não diferiru das PN-PC (392,0 kg) e BRACS-PN (351 ,8 kg}, os quais não diferiram das PNCS-PN (329,8 kg). As novilhas do PN-PC tiveram a maior prenhez (100,0%), mas não diferiram das BRA-PC (87,5%) e BRACS-PN (66,0%), os quais não diferiram das PNCS-PN (62,0%). Os bezerros filhos das vacas dos PN-PC e BRA-PC tiveram maiores ganhos de peso até o desmame. Conclui-se da necessidade de desenvolver mais estudos com objetivo de ter maior desenvolvimento das novilhas prévio o terço final de gestação, para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a oferta e o manejo da pastagem natural para minimizar perdas de peso ao final da gestação e para identificar tempo de pastejo pré-parto em pastagem cultivada, que minimizem auxílios e perdas ao parto. Possivelmente, a antecipação da primeira prenhez, através de melhor recria de bezerras, possibilite inicialmente um menor período pré-parto em pastagem cultivada, reduzindo problemas ao parto e, após, um longo período pós-parto em pastagem cultivada. / The work conducted at Rancho Santa Zelina Farm, Júlio de Castillos/RS, evaluated lhe grow and productive performance of 64 heifers of a commercial Angus herd since the conception to 13/15 months of age under four feeding systems during the gestation: Brachiaria pasture with supplementation + natural pasture in the final third of gestation (BRACS-PN), natural pasture with supplementation + natural pasture in the final third of gestation (PNCSPN), Brachiaria pasture + cultivated pasture (oat and ryegrass) in the final third of gestation (BRA-PC), natural pasture + cultivated pasture in the final third of gestation (PN-PC). The experimental design was completely randomized, four food systems and two plots, each paddock considered an experimental unit. For lhe performance variables of the calves, each calf was considered an experimental unit. At lhe end of the feeding summer/fall systems (06/02/2012), lhe heifers of BRACS-PN were heavier (392.0 kg) than lhe BRA-PC (375.5 kg), which were heavier than PNCS-PN (355.0 kg) and PN-PC (354.5 kg). During the winter, heifers on natural pasture (BRACS-PN and PNCS-PN) lost weight, while heifers on cultivated pasture gained weight and body condition. Heifers BRA-PC (421.0 kg) and PN-PC (377.0 kg) were heavier at calving, but the PNPC did not differ from BRACS-PN (323.5 kg) and these ones of PNCS-PN (306.5 kg). The aid to calving was higher in BRA-PC and PN-PC (37.5%) without differ of PNCS-PN (18.8%). The body weight of BRA-PC at the beginning of reproduction was higher (417.4 kg), without differ of PN-PC (392.0 kg) and BRACS-PN (351.8 kg), which ones did not differ of PNCS-PN (329.8 kg). Heifers of PN-PC had the highest pregnancy rale (100.0%), without differ of BRA-PC (87.5%) and BRACS-PN (66.0%), which ones did not differ of PNCSPN (62.0%). Calves of PN-PC and BRA-PC cows had higher weight gain until weaning. This results underscores lhe need for further studies in arder to identify higher growth of heifers prior the final third of gestation, to increase the know about the availability and management of natural pasture to minimize weight loss in late pregnancy and to identify grazing time on cultivated pasture pre calving to minimize tosses and aids to calving. Probaly, earlier first pregnancy through better rearing and genetics of calves initially enables a lower pre-partum period on cultivated pasture, reducing calving problems and, after, a long postpartum grazing on cultivated pasture.

O trabalho conduzido na Fazenda Rancho Santa Zelina, Júlio de Castilhos/RS, avaliou o desenvolvimento corporal e o desempenho produtivo de 64 novilhas de um rebanho comercial Angus da concepção aos 13/15 meses de idade, submetidas a quatro sistemas alimentares durante a gestação: pastagem de Brachiaria com suplementação + pastagem natural no terço final de gestação (BRACS-PN}, pastagem natural com suplementação+ pastagem natural no terço final de gestação (PNCS-PN), pastagem de Brachiara + pastagem cultivada de aveia preta e azevém no terço final de gestação (BRA-PC}, pastagem natural + pastagem cultivada de aveia preta e azevém no terço final de gestação (PN-PC). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, quatro sistemas alimentares e duas repetições de área, sendo cada potreiro considerado uma unidade experimental. Para as variáveis de desempenho dos bezerros, cada bezerro foi considerado uma unidade experimental. Ao final dos sistemas alimentares de verão/outono (02/06/2012), as novilhas do BRACS-PN eram mais pesadas (392,0 kg) do que as do BRA-PC (375,5 kg), as quais igualmente superiores as do PNCS-PN (355,0 kg) e PN-PC (354,5 kg). No inverno, novilhas em pastagem natural (BRACS-PN e PNCS-PN) perderam peso, enquanto as em pastagem cultivada ganharam peso e condição corporal. Novilhas do BRA-PC (421 ,O kg) e PN-PC (377,0 kg) tiveram maior peso ao parto, porém as do PN-PC não diferiram do BRACS-PN (323,5 kg) e estas não diferiram das PNCS-PN (306,5 kg). O auxílio ao parto foi maior nas BRA-PC e PN-PC (37,5%), mas não diferiram das PNCS-PN (18,8%). O peso corporal das BRA-PC foi maior (417,4 kg) ao início da monta, mas não diferiru das PN-PC (392,0 kg) e BRACS-PN (351 ,8 kg}, os quais não diferiram das PNCS-PN (329,8 kg). As novilhas do PN-PC tiveram a maior prenhez (100,0%), mas não diferiram das BRA-PC (87,5%) e BRACS-PN (66,0%), os quais não diferiram das PNCS-PN (62,0%). Os bezerros filhos das vacas dos PN-PC e BRA-PC tiveram maiores ganhos de peso até o desmame. Conclui-se da necessidade de desenvolver mais estudos com objetivo de ter maior desenvolvimento das novilhas prévio o terço final de gestação, para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a oferta e o manejo da pastagem natural para minimizar perdas de peso ao final da gestação e para identificar tempo de pastejo pré-parto em pastagem cultivada, que minimizem auxílios e perdas ao parto. Possivelmente, a antecipação da primeira prenhez, através de melhor recria de bezerras, possibilite inicialmente um menor período pré-parto em pastagem cultivada, reduzindo problemas ao parto e, após, um longo período pós-parto em pastagem cultivada. / The work conducted at Rancho Santa Zelina Farm, Júlio de Castillos/RS, evaluated lhe grow and productive performance of 64 heifers of a commercial Angus herd since the conception to 13/15 months of age under four feeding systems during the gestation: Brachiaria pasture with supplementation + natural pasture in the final third of gestation (BRACS-PN), natural pasture with supplementation + natural pasture in the final third of gestation (PNCSPN), Brachiaria pasture + cultivated pasture (oat and ryegrass) in the final third of gestation (BRA-PC), natural pasture + cultivated pasture in the final third of gestation (PN-PC). The experimental design was completely randomized, four food systems and two plots, each paddock considered an experimental unit. For lhe performance variables of the calves, each calf was considered an experimental unit. At lhe end of the feeding summer/fall systems (06/02/2012), lhe heifers of BRACS-PN were heavier (392.0 kg) than lhe BRA-PC (375.5 kg), which were heavier than PNCS-PN (355.0 kg) and PN-PC (354.5 kg). During the winter, heifers on natural pasture (BRACS-PN and PNCS-PN) lost weight, while heifers on cultivated pasture gained weight and body condition. Heifers BRA-PC (421.0 kg) and PN-PC (377.0 kg) were heavier at calving, but the PNPC did not differ from BRACS-PN (323.5 kg) and these ones of PNCS-PN (306.5 kg). The aid to calving was higher in BRA-PC and PN-PC (37.5%) without differ of PNCS-PN (18.8%). The body weight of BRA-PC at the beginning of reproduction was higher (417.4 kg), without differ of PN-PC (392.0 kg) and BRACS-PN (351.8 kg), which ones did not differ of PNCS-PN (329.8 kg). Heifers of PN-PC had the highest pregnancy rale (100.0%), without differ of BRA-PC (87.5%) and BRACS-PN (66.0%), which ones did not differ of PNCSPN (62.0%). Calves of PN-PC and BRA-PC cows had higher weight gain until weaning. This results underscores lhe need for further studies in arder to identify higher growth of heifers prior the final third of gestation, to increase the know about the availability and management of natural pasture to minimize weight loss in late pregnancy and to identify grazing time on cultivated pasture pre calving to minimize tosses and aids to calving. Probaly, earlier first pregnancy through better rearing and genetics of calves initially enables a lower pre-partum period on cultivated pasture, reducing calving problems and, after, a long postpartum grazing on cultivated pasture.

A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a group of spatially dispersed sensors that monitor the physical conditions of the environment and collect data at a central location. Sensor deployment is one of the main design aspects of WSNs as this a ffects network coverage. In general, WSN deployment methods fall into two categories: planned deployment and random deployment. This thesis considers planned sensor deployment of a Mobile Wireless Sensor Network (MWSN), which is defined as selectively deciding the locations of the mobile sensors under the given constraints to optimize the coverage of the network. Metaheuristic algorithms are powerful tools for the modeling and optimization of problems. The Krill Herd Algorithm (KHA) is a new nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm which can be used to solve the sensor deployment problem. A Multi-Agent System (MAS) is a system that contains multiple interacting agents. These agents are autonomous entities that interact with their environment and direct their activity towards achieving speci c goals. Agents can also learn or use their knowledge to accomplish a mission. Multi-agent systems can solve problems that are very difficult or even impossible for monolithic systems to solve. In this work, a modification of KHA is proposed which incorporates MAS to obtain a Multi-Agent Krill Herd Algorithm (MA-KHA). To test the performance of the proposed method, five benchmark global optimization problems are used. Numerical results are presented which show that MA-KHA performs better than the KHA by finding better solutions. The proposed MA-KHA is also employed to solve the sensor deployment problem. Simulation results are presented which indicate that the agent-agent interactions in MA-KHA improves the WSN coverage in comparison with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), the Firefly Algorithm (FA), and the KHA. / Graduate

Titel: Placeringsintresserade privatpersoners finansiella sparande Författare: Robert Bratt &amp; Robin Karlsson Program: Ekonomprogrammet inriktning redovisning &amp; ekonomistyrning Handledare: Thomas Karlsson Examinator: Petter Boye Fakultet: Ekonomihögskolan                                                                                                                                                         Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka, beskriva och förklara på vilket sätt placeringsintresserade privatpersoners sparande i finansiella instrument påverkas av de tre psykologiska faktorerna anchoring, herd behavior och mental accounting samt att undersöka om investerarens belåning och den risk för ökade kostnader som belåning i kombination med höjda räntor innebär kan leda till att placeringsintresserade privatpersoner ökar sitt sparande i finansiella instrument.   Metod: Vi har använt oss av en abduktiv ansats och genomfört en kvalitativ empirisk undersökning där vi har intervjuat personer med ett intresse för finansiella placeringar.   Teori: Vi har i vårt teorikapitel sammanställt teorier uppdelade i kategorierna finansiella placeringar, herd behavior, mental accounting, anchoring och belåning.   Empiri: I vår empiriska undersökning så har vi genomfört sju intervjuer med personer som har ett intresse för finansiella placeringar. Intervjuerna som har genomförts har varit semistrukturerade där vi har ställt frågor baserade på de teorier som har presenterats i teorikapitlet. Utifrån dessa frågor har vi sedan fört diskussioner med respondenterna gällande de olika fält som intervjun berör.   Slutsats: I slutsatserna har vi vägt de teorier som har presenterats i teorikapitlet mot det insamlade empiriska material som har framkommit i samband med vår empiriska undersökning. Utifrån den information som har framkommit i dessa två kapitel har vi formulerat slutsatser inom de områden som studien har undersökt.                                Nyckelord: herd behavior, mental accounting, anchoring, belåning, finansiell beteendepsykologi, finansiella marknader, finansiella instrument   Tack Vi vil tacka vår handledare Thomas Karlsson för stöd och feedback som vi fått under uppsatsens gång.   Vi vill även tacka de uppsatsgrupper som ingått i vår seminariegrupp och som genom opponering längs arbetets gång gett oss feedback vilket har varit till stor nytta.

Brucellosis is a disease of socio-economic and zoonotic importance worldwide. In animals it is associated with the ingestion of feed that is contaminated with cyetic material from aborting herd-mates, while in humans it is associated with the consumption of unpasteurised milk and dairy products from infected animals. It may also be acquired from contact with infected material of animal origin by farmers, veterinarians, and abattoir and laboratory workers. Brucellosis was first reported in South Africa in the late nineteenth century. It is still present in the country today, with reported annual losses of at least R 300 million, and a national annual incidence of 5 000 cases in humans. The global incidence of human brucellosis is about half a million infections annually. As the incidence of human brucellosis is directly associated with prevalence in animals, control of animal brucellosis is emphasised. Veterinary control is compromised by the chronic nature and the variable incubation period of the disease, with an estimated up to 15% of cattle in infected herds aborting before sero-conversion. Latency, which involves about 5% of calves born from infected dams, is also problematic as these infected animals often test seronegative, only to seroconvert in the peri-parturient period, thus allowing opportunity for disease spread within and between herds before diagnosis is made. In addition, the currently used serological tests are at times unable to distinguish brucellosis from cross-reacting antibodies from other infections or brucellosis vaccines. x It was the objective of this study to investigate, under South African conditions, the value of the brucellin skin test (BST) in improving the sensitivity and specificity of the currently used serological tests. It has proved a valuable additional test in diagnosing early and latent infections as well as in differentiating brucellosis from cross-reacting organisms in unvaccinated cattle in Europe. The study also evaluated the benefit of replacing some of the currently used serological assays with the fluorescence polarisation assay (FPA). The FPA, a rapid and homogenous serological test with only a few operational steps, has been validated and is in current use in Canada. The study was carried out in Mpumalanga Province, on herds selected to reflect prevailing South African farming conditions. These herds were divided into certified Brucella abortus-negative herds (608 head) for the estimation of BST specificity, and confirmed B. abortus-infected herds (845 head) for the estimation of BST sensitivity. The results obtained indicated the BST had a specificity of 99.18%, and a relative sensitivity of 42.86%. However, 65.38% of BST-positive animals were negative on serology. When the high specificity is considered, together with the experiences of other researchers who found that the skin test became positive earlier than serological tests, these animals may be assumed infected. It is concluded that the BST is a valuable addition to the panel of diagnostic tests currently used to identify infected herds and individuals in South Africa. The FPA, with a relative sensitivity of 93.65% and a specificity of 98.85%, can potentially be of use as a screening test under South African conditions. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / gm2014 / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

The aim with this thesis is to investigate whether increased capital flows to ESG screened indexes create higher price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios and momentum in the included stocks during the chosen time period of three years, from 2018 to 2020. The thesis will evaluate the capital flows to ESG indexes and compare both performance and P/E ratios between those and their corresponding Mother indexes. The study will also look at the development of capital flows, performance and P/E ratios separately in the four chosen geographical indexes; Global, Europe, US and Emerging Markets. The theoretical framework goes through four relevant subjects for this study; passive investing, ESG, momentum and the P/E ratio. The study has shown that the capital flows in all four ESG indexes increased during the chosen time period. Moreover, it could be proven that three out of four ESG indexes outperformed their Mother indexes, namely, Global, Europe and Emerging Markets. In the U.S. the Mother index outperformed the ESG index. Three out of four geographical indexes also had a higher increase in the average P/E ratio than their mother indexes. Here, the Global market stood out as the one that had a lower increase in P/E ratio than its Mother index. Lastly, regression analyses were made to see the relationship between the variables capital flows, average P/E ratios in the indexes and the performance of the indexes. The study showed significantly that capital flows is the explanatory variable for the increased P/E ratios on the European ESG index. However, for the other indexes no significant correlation could be proved. This led to an interesting discussion and conclusion, and also left us with a question mark. What is the reason behind this result on the European market, and why was it not possible to see any significant correlation on the other markets? Further research in this field is needed and some ideas are discussed in the last chapter of the thesis.

Mastitis is an inflammation that is caused in the udder tissue of cattle and which annually causes high costs within productions and the profitability of farms. The purpose of this study is to determine if udder inflammation affects both the amount of milk that produces and investigate how the protein and fat -content are affected. To be able to implement the study, I have used data from a farm in Värmland where mastitis is a common disease affecting the cows, and which reduces profitability annually. From the year 2015, a total of 134 cows on the farm where the study occurred were treated with antibiotics by a veterinarian, where up to half of the cows were affected by a clinically visible infection. Two groups have been used in the study where 45 cows affected by mastitis have been examined through test milking results and then compared with a control group consisting of healthy individuals where I have used cows that have not been visibly affected by mastitis. The results for the study of how the milk volume is affected showed a significant difference for a decrease in the quantity last year (P =0,036). Based on the results, it is concluded that clinical mastitis reduces the amount of milk and the content of the milk. / Mastit är en inflammation som orsakas i juvervävnaden hos nötkreatur och som årligen orsakar stora kostnader inom produktionen och lönsamheten på gårdar. Syftet med denna studie var att fastställa om juverinflammationer kan påverkar en nedgång inom den mängd mjölk som produceras samt undersöka hur protein- samt fetthalten påverkas eftersom innehållet är en viktig del av lönsamheten. För att kunna genomföra studien har jag använt mig av data från en gård i Värmland där mastit är en vanlig förekommande sjukdom som drabbar korna, och som årligen drar ner på lönsamheten. Från år 2015 har totalt 134 kor på gården där studien genomförts varit behandlade med antibiotika av veterinär där uppemot hälften av korna drabbades av en klinisk synlig infektion. Två grupper har använts i studien där 45 kor drabbade av mastit har undersökts genom provmjölkningsresultat och som sedan jämförts med en kontrollgrupp bestående av friska individer där kor som ej har varit synligt drabbade av mastit använts. Resultatet för undersökningen av hur mjölkmängden påverkas visade en signifikant skillnad för en minskning av mängden sista året (P=0,036) men ingen signifikant skillnad över fett och proteinhalten kunde ses. Utifrån resultatet dras slutsatsen att klinisk mastit minskar mjölkmängden medan innehållet av fett och protein förblir opåverkat.