An Innovative Approach for Modeling Crop Yield Response to Fertilizer Nutrients

Fertilizer recommendations seldom account for agro-climatic conditions, which are important factors that determine the response to fertilizer and the optimal rate of fertilizer. The nitrogen fertilizer response to open pollinated and hybrid canola types will also impact optimal nitrogen rates. This study used quantile regression to model canola yield response to nitrogen fertilizer. Quantile regression can apply different weights to the residuals, facilitating a response estimation where the agro-climatic conditions are not limiting and the yield response is due to the variable of interest. The economically optimal levels of fertilizers were calculated using the proposed and the conventional least squares procedures of the two canola types in western Canada. Results showed that the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on yield depended on the canola type and on the estimation procedure. Optimal levels of nitrogen for open-pollinated canola were estimated as 91, 115, and 134 kg ha-1 for severe, moderate and low levels of agro-climatic constraints. Hybrid had a higher yield potential, and also required more nitrogen fertilizer (137, 142, and 158 kg ha-1). Unlike conventional approach, proposed approach could benefit producer by recommending less (more) fertilizer when the crop response to fertilizer is expected to be low (high) due to agro-climatic conditions.Crop Production/Industries,

The natural patterns of self-cleaning surfaces: RIMAPS analysis of superhydrophobic leaves

In the present work, an image technique based on the two-dimensional Fourier transform is introduced as a tool for describing the topographical self-cleaning pattern of the epidermis, which is composed of different features (e.g. epidermal cells and papillae, which are the microstructure or micro-pattern, and epicuticular wax, which is the nanostructure or nano-pattern). Our method allows identification of the main directions of the micro-nano structural pattern and its distribution on the x-y surface. This technique, called Rotated Image with Maximun Average Power Spectrum (RIMAPS), has recently been applied in the description of technological and biological surfaces. Therefore, the aim of the present work is to describe, by using RIMAPS, the micro-nano patterns of binary structures found on superhydrophobic (ultra non-wettable) leaves.Fil: Favret, Eduardo Alfredo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Ana M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales; Argentin

Update to the registers of family-group and genusgroup taxa of aphidoidea (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha)

P. 1-23Errors and omissions to the Registers of family-group and genus-group taxa of Aphidoidea (Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha) are ammended and new information made available in 2011, 2012 and 2013 is added. The former data are presented in two lists, one for minor corrections, and the other for corrections with important nomenclatural or taxonomic significance. The additions are presented in a third list. Also, Neoaulacorthum Lee (W.) & Lee (S.), 2011 is shown to be a synonym of Pseudomegoura Shinji, 1928, and the consequent combinations are presented: Pseudomegoura magnoliae (Essig & Kuwana, 1918) comb. nov., and P. nipponica (Essig & Kuwana, 1918) comb. nov.S

Carrying Asymptomatic Malaria In Ouéllé Locality, And Surrounding Villages, In Southeastern Gabon: An Epidemiological Analysis, In Rural Central Africa

Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly in Gabon. In an epidemiological analysis in a rural area, the present study assessed asymptomatic malaria carriage in Ouéllé, and surrounding villages, in South-eastern Gabon: an epidemiological analysis, in a rural area of central Africa. Patients and method: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 26 to 28, 2023. The sociodemographic characteristics of the participants were obtained. A small portion of blood collected by finger prick from each participant was used for qualitative detection of malaria-causing Plasmodium infection, using a Malaria Test MeriScreenTM Pf/PAN Ag lateral flow immunochromatographic assay. Results of analysis by R software version 4.0.3, were considered significant at p≤0.05.Results: Of the 321 people registered for the present study, 97  (30.22%) (95% CI: 0.25 - 0.36) (n=97), tested positive for malaria, compared with 224 (69.78%) ((95% CI: 0.64 - 0.75) (n=224). While a univariate analysis of the prevalence of malaria carriage according to gender showed no statistically significant association between the variables p=0.56, a univariate analysis of the prevalence of malaria carriage according to age group indicated that only participants aged between 28 and 57 (OR =0.17; 95% CI: [0.04 - 0.73] p=0. 007*), and according to each locality, the analysis showed that participants from Mvengué (OR =0.17; CI 95% : [0.04 - 0.73] p=0.007*), Djoutou (OR =0.17; CI 95% : [0.04 - 0.73] p=0. 007*), and Mouyabi (OR =0.17; 95% CI: [0.04 - 0.73] p=0.007*), were statistically susceptible to malaria were significantly associated with malaria carriage in the present study.Conclusion: These results, which indicate the persistence of asymptomatic malaria in Ouéllé and surrounding villages, call on Gabon's health authorities to redouble their efforts to combat malaria throughout the country

Roger Blackman 1941-2022 an appreciation

Dr Roger Laurence Blackman (Fig. 1) passed away on 17 March 2022, after more than 50 years dedicated to advances in aphid science. There can be very few scientists studying any aspect of aphids whose papers have not cited the works of Roger Blackman. To his name, we add that of Victor Eastop (1924–2012), for the two of them formed an inspirational, complementary and indefatigable pair at London’s Natural History Museum. Together they were responsible for, amongst many other seminal works, the three testaments of the aphidologists’ bible: Aphids on the World’s Crops, Aphids on the World’s Trees and Aphids on the World’s Herbaceous Plants and Shrubs, now brought together and regularly updated by Roger until very recently in the online version, Aphids on the World’s Plants (www.aphidsonworldsplants.info). Victor was an out-and-out taxonomist, absolutely amongst the best the world has known, whilst being very familiar with most aspects of aphidology. Roger’s contributions were broader as we shall see

First report of the aphid species, Cinara pinihabitans (Hem: Lachnidae) on Pinus mugo from Iran

The aphid species, Cinara pinihabitans (Mordvilko 1894), is newly recorded from Iran. It was collected from mountain pine, Pinus mugo,during a survey on the insect fauna of urban green landscapes of the city of Mashhad, Iran from June 2014 to July 2015

Modelos de análisis de información para la toma de decisiones estratégicas del sector tealero

Para mantenerse persistente en el mercado, las organizaciones deben estar atentas a la evolución continúa de los factores externos. Esto le permite generar estrategias que la vuelvan competitiva o, al menos, generar estrategias correctivas que le permitan seguir funcionando. En ese contexto, determinar qué información es útil o no, requiere de un proceso de análisis exhaustivo, que se enfrenta con la sobresaturación de información disponible actualmente. Hoy en día existen métodos y herramientas que permiten a las organizaciones hacer lo que se conoce como Vigilancia Tecnológica (VT) e Inteligencia Competitiva (IC). Estos procesos tienen como objetivo estar alertas a los cambios constantes de la tecnología y el mercado, a fin de poder ajustar las estrategias de la organización. Ambos involucran procesos inteligentes e intentan detectar y predecir los cambios del entorno a fin de que la organización pueda articular mecanismos de anticipación. Este proyecto tiene como objetivo implementar técnicas de VT e IC utilizando algoritmos de minería de la WEB para examinar documentos de dominio público y obtener, a partir de ellas, información de valor para la toma de decisiones referido a la cadena de producción y comercialización del té; sin embargo la utilidad del modelo trasciende la temática donde es aplicado.Eje: Ejes y Sistemas InteligentesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Modelos de análisis de información para la toma de decisiones estratégicas del sector tealero

Para mantenerse persistente en el mercado, las organizaciones deben estar atentas a la evolución continúa de los factores externos. Esto le permite generar estrategias que la vuelvan competitiva o, al menos, generar estrategias correctivas que le permitan seguir funcionando. En ese contexto, determinar qué información es útil o no, requiere de un proceso de análisis exhaustivo, que se enfrenta con la sobresaturación de información disponible actualmente. Hoy en día existen métodos y herramientas que permiten a las organizaciones hacer lo que se conoce como Vigilancia Tecnológica (VT) e Inteligencia Competitiva (IC). Estos procesos tienen como objetivo estar alertas a los cambios constantes de la tecnología y el mercado, a fin de poder ajustar las estrategias de la organización. Ambos involucran procesos inteligentes e intentan detectar y predecir los cambios del entorno a fin de que la organización pueda articular mecanismos de anticipación. Este proyecto tiene como objetivo implementar técnicas de VT e IC utilizando algoritmos de minería de la WEB para examinar documentos de dominio público y obtener, a partir de ellas, información de valor para la toma de decisiones referido a la cadena de producción y comercialización del té; sin embargo la utilidad del modelo trasciende la temática donde es aplicado.Eje: Ejes y Sistemas InteligentesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Modelos de análisis de información para la toma de decisiones estratégicas del sector tealero

Para mantenerse persistente en el mercado, las organizaciones deben estar atentas a la evolución continúa de los factores externos. Esto le permite generar estrategias que la vuelvan competitiva o, al menos, generar estrategias correctivas que le permitan seguir funcionando. En ese contexto, determinar qué información es útil o no, requiere de un proceso de análisis exhaustivo, que se enfrenta con la sobresaturación de información disponible actualmente. Hoy en día existen métodos y herramientas que permiten a las organizaciones hacer lo que se conoce como Vigilancia Tecnológica (VT) e Inteligencia Competitiva (IC). Estos procesos tienen como objetivo estar alertas a los cambios constantes de la tecnología y el mercado, a fin de poder ajustar las estrategias de la organización. Ambos involucran procesos inteligentes e intentan detectar y predecir los cambios del entorno a fin de que la organización pueda articular mecanismos de anticipación. Este proyecto tiene como objetivo implementar técnicas de VT e IC utilizando algoritmos de minería de la WEB para examinar documentos de dominio público y obtener, a partir de ellas, información de valor para la toma de decisiones referido a la cadena de producción y comercialización del té; sin embargo la utilidad del modelo trasciende la temática donde es aplicado.Eje: Ejes y Sistemas InteligentesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Type species of genera in Aphididae (Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha) with two new generic synonymies

P. 65-68The aphidologist community attending the Seventh International Symposium on Aphids in Fremantle (Western Australia, 2005) entrusted to us the preparation of a Part of the List of Available Names in Zoology devoted to the aphid genus-group taxa names, and this to be presented at the subsequent aphid symposium. During the course of our work (Nieto Nafría et al. 2009), we checked each genus to make sure its type species designation conformed to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999) ―henceforth The Code and The Commission―, and that these designations were correctly represented in the literature, especially the two most recent taxonomic catalogues (Eastop & Hille Ris Lambers 1976; Remaudière & Remaudière 1997). Previous authors have used most of the procedures of type fixation enumerated in The Code, The Commission itself has used its Plenary Powers to fix six type species, and 11 genus-group names remain without types (Table 1). In the recent aphid taxonomic catalogues (Eastop & Hille Ris Lambers op. cit.; Remaudière & Remaudière op. cit.), we found three errors caused by mistakes propagated in the literature and two errors caused by incorrect application of Article 11 of The Code. We have also found that in the case of 11 names, the criteria of Article 70.3 of The Code were not met, and regardless, earlier editions of The Code did not allow type designations of that kind (see the last paragraph of the example in Article 70.3). This article corrects the five errors and conforms the 11 aphid type species designations to the nomenclatural standards of The Code.S