Non-destructive soluble solids content determination for ‘Rocha’ Pear Based on VIS-SWNIR spectroscopy under ‘Real World’ sorting facility conditions

In this paper we report a method to determine the soluble solids content (SSC) of 'Rocha' pear (Pyrus communis L. cv. Rocha) based on their short-wave NIR reflectance spectra (500-1100 nm) measured in conditions similar to those found in packinghouse fruit sorting facilities. We obtained 3300 reflectance spectra from pears acquired from different lots, producers and with diverse storage times and ripening stages. The macroscopic properties of the pears, such as size, temperature and SSC were measured under controlled laboratory conditions. For the spectral analysis, we implemented a computational pipeline that incorporates multiple pre-processing techniques including a feature selection procedure, various multivariate regression models and three different validation strategies. This benchmark allowed us to find the best model/preproccesing procedure for SSC prediction from our data. From the several calibration models tested, we have found that Support Vector Machines provides the best predictions metrics with an RMSEP of around 0.82 ∘ Brix and 1.09 ∘ Brix for internal and external validation strategies respectively. The latter validation was implemented to assess the prediction accuracy of this calibration method under more 'real world-like' conditions. We also show that incorporating information about the fruit temperature and size to the calibration models improves SSC predictability. Our results indicate that the methodology presented here could be implemented in existing packinghouse facilities for single fruit SSC characterization.Funding Agency CEOT strategic project UID/Multi/00631/2019 project OtiCalFrut ALG-01-0247-FEDER-033652 Ideias em Caixa 2010, CAIXA GERAL DE DEPOSITOS Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Ciencia)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Expansion of the Railway and Environmental Changes: The Modern Configuration of the Argentine Pampas, c. 1870–1930

One of the most striking transformation processes of the Anthropocene in Argentina is related to the occupation of the territory through agricultural activities and the arrival of the train from the mid-nineteenth century. The transformations of the Pampa biome are a typical case of socio-environmental transitions caused by the country´s entry into the global market. At the basis of agricultural expansion through the agro-export model was the idea of an "empty" territory. At the core of the Anthropocene is the homogenization of environments, from the introduction of exotic fauna and flora, technologies, cultures and ideas (modernity). This process of homogenisation implies the destruction of the heterogeneity of native ecosystems. These are aspects that will be discussed in our article. Considering socio-environmental analyses together with technological issues, our paper exemplifies the peculiarity of Argentina´s modernization process in the context of the Anthropocene.Fil: Franca de Oliveira, Ana Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencias Sociales. Centro de Estudios de la Argentina Rural; ArgentinaFil: Zarrilli, Adrian Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencias Sociales. Centro de Estudios de la Argentina Rural; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Do parents matter? : a study of parental influence on young people's sexuality in a low-income community of Brazil

The rise of unintended pregnancies and transmission of STIs and HIV/AIDS among young people is a growing public health problem in Brazil. To design effective interventions, it is necessary to understand the sources that affect their sexuality. Research in developed countries suggests that parents are an important influence. Whether this is also the case in Brazil however, remains unknown as previous studies have largely ignored this question. This study aimed to explore parental influence on the sexual knowledge, attitudes, timing of first sex and contraceptive behaviour of young men and women in a low- income community of Brazil. Parental influence was investigated by focusing on eight factors: verbal sexual communication; parental sexual attitudes; quality of relationship with parents; parental control and other measures of non-verbal communication that have seldom been researched. 1077 young people aged 13-24 from two secondary schools completed a survey questionnaire and 8 focus groups and 138 in-depth interviews were held with young people and parents. Of the 8 parental factors investigated, 5 were related to one or more of the sexuality outcomes: Verbal sexual communication was related to all four outcomes; parental sexual attitudes to young people's own attitudes and the timing of first sex of males; quality of relationship with parents to the attitudes of females and timing of first sex of males; parental control to the sexual knowledge and condom use of young men and the timing of first sex of young women; father's non-verbal feelings towards sex-related scenes on TV was related to the attitudes of both genders and condom use of males. Similar patterns of influence also emerged from the in-depth interviews as did information about how the influences may operate. The results indicate that in the context studied, parents influence young people's sexuality and should be included in future interventions.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

As "pitorescas" florestas da Mata Atlantica nas paisagens dos viajantes

En el presente artículo procuro analizar algunos de los primeros registros hechos sobre parte de las florestas litorales del actual bioma Mata Atlántica, resaltando para el hecho de como esa mirada ayudó a construir lo que se entiende actualmente como su paisaje, en el sentido biofísico y cultural. En específico trato de los registros realizados por algunos artistas-viajeros sobre la composición forestal (Floresta Ombrófila Densa, en especial), cuando recorrieran la región sureste brasilera en el siglo XIX. Las descripciones sobre las cualidades naturales de estas florestas y su registro visual se presentan profundamente conectadas a la cultura europea de la época, se manteniendo parte de ese imaginario sobre la naturaleza de los trópicos aún en los días actuales.No presente artigo busco analisar alguns dos primeiros registros estrangeiros feitos sobre parte das florestas litorâneas do atual bioma Mata Atlântica, apontando para o fato de como esse olhar ajudou a construir o que se compreende atualmente como a sua paisagem, em seu sentido biofísico e cultural. Em específico trato dos registros realizados por alguns artistas-viajantes sobre a composição florestal (Floresta Ombrófila Densa, principalmente), quando percorreram a região sudeste brasileira, na primeira metade do século XIX. As descrições sobre as qualidades naturais dessas florestas e seu registro visual se apresentam profundamente ligados à cultura europeia da época, persistindo parte desse imaginário sobre a natureza dos trópicos ainda nos dias atuais.Fil: Franca de Oliveira, Ana Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencias Sociales. Centro de Estudios de la Argentina Rural; Argentin

Resolución N° 015-2019-OEFA/TFA-SE, conflicto entre el cumplimiento de las reglas procedimentales y el derecho a gozar de un medio ambiente adecuado y equilibrado

La no sanción por las infracciones graves a la flora y fauna que se materializa con la declaración de nulidad colocó en situación de indefensión a la protección del medio ambiente. La creación de este desincentivo ambiental de evitar castigar conductas sancionables tiene, en este caso, una alta relevancia al generarse un daño gravoso al medio ambiente como es un derrame de hidrocarburos que tuvo como consecuencia la afectación a los recursos naturales, los cuales son utilizados como medio alimenticio para la población aledaña a los derrames de Imaza y Morona, así como la vulneración a su derecho a la salud. En ese sentido, lo lesivo, en este caso, fue declarar la nulidad de las infracciones ambientales probadas que tuvo como consecuencia la impunidad de los daños ambientales; sin tener en consideración que el TFA pudo optar por ejercer su función jurisdiccional y, resolver en función de los hechos y medios probatorios concernientes al caso. Por tanto, en el caso materia de análisis, debió prevalecer la protección al derecho al medio ambiente, por encima de los aspectos procedimentales; en razón de que, la finalidad del sistema de justicia ambiental debe ser contar con una fiscalización efectiva y razonable, que promueva la restauración ambiental, potencialmente disuasiva, que tampoco implique la parcialidad y la confiscatoriedad.The non-sanction for serious infringements of the flora and fauna that materializes with the declaration of nullity placed the protection of the environment in a situation of defenselessness. The creation of this environmental disincentive to avoid punishing punishable behaviors has, in this case, a high relevance to generate a serious damage to the environment such as an oil spill that resulted in the affectation of natural resources, which are used as a food medium for the population surrounding the Imaza and Morona spills. as well as the violation of their right to health. In that sense, the harmful thing, in this case, was to declare the nullity of the proven environmental infractions that resulted in impunity for environmental damage; without taking into consideration that the TFA could choose to exercise its jurisdictional function and decide on the basis of the facts and evidentiary means concerning the case. Therefore, in the case under analysis, the protection of the right to the environment should prevail over procedural aspects; Because the purpose of the environmental justice system must be to have an effective and reasonable control that promotes environmental restoration, potentially dissuasive, that does not imply partiality and confiscation

O uso de iconografias de paisagem para o ensino da História Ambiental: um diálogo com a História da Arte

Buscar compreender a relação entre os seres humanos e a natureza ao longo do processo histórico é tratar de interações sempre em modificação não somente nos diferentes contextos, mas também nas distintas esferas de uma dada sociedade. O seguinte artigo se propõe a apresentar como que a combinação entre a História da Arte e a História Ambiental pode resultar interessante para o ensino desta última, mostrando como que as diferentes percepções e sentimentos sobre a natureza podem ser analisados e debatidos em sala de aula.o try to understand the relationship between human beings and nature throughout the historical process is to deal with ever changing interactions not only in the different contexts but also in the distinct spheres of a specific society. The following article proposes to show how the combination between Art History and Environmental History can be interesting for the teaching of Environmental History, showing how the different perceptions and feelings about nature can be analyzed and debated in the classroom.Fil: Franca de Oliveira, Ana Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencias Sociales. Centro de Estudios de la Argentina Rural; Argentin

Paisagem e natureza na arte contemporânea: ressignificação do espaço e experiência da obra

O presente artigo se propõe a discutir sobre as instalações realizadas nos anos 1970 até a atualidade, que dialogam diretamente com a paisagem “natural”, estendendo a significação do objeto artístico à reconfiguração espacial. Em especial, serão discutidos trabalhos que atuam no espaço biofísico, em que elementos da geografia do lugar se tornam dispositivos da manifestação artística. Será visto que essas atuações transformam a paisagem e a própria noção de obra de arte, criando tensões naquilo que compreendemos como natureza e cultura.This paper aims to discuss the installations made in the 1970s to the present day, which dialogue directly with the “natural” landscape, extending the significance of the artistic object to the reconfiguration of the space. In particular, works that have action in the biophysical space will be discussed, in which elements of the environment become devices of artistic manifestation. It will be seen that these performances transform the landscape and the notion of a work of art, creating tensions in what we understand as nature and culture.Fil: Franca de Oliveira, Ana Marcela. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencias Sociales. Centro de Estudios de la Argentina Rural; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Toxic cyanobacteria strains isolated from blooms in the Guadiana River (southwestern Spain)

This paper describes the occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria along the Guadiana River over its course between Mérida and Badajoz (Extremadura, Spain). Water sampling for phytoplankton quantification and toxin analysis was carried out regularly between 1999 and 2001 in six different locations, including two shallow, slow-flowing river sites, two streamed river sites and two drinking water reservoirs. The cyanobacterial community differed significantly between these locations, especially during the summer. The predominant genera were Microcystis, Oscillatoria, Aphanizomenon and Anabaena. Using an ELISA assay the total microcystin contents of natural water samples from the most eutrophic locations ranged from 0.10 – 21.86 µg mcyst-LR equivalent·L-1 in Valdelacalzada and 0.10-11.3 µg mcyst-LR equivalent·L-1 in Vitonogales, and a seasonal variation of toxin content was observed. The amount of microcystins produced by each strain was determined by ELISA assay and the detection and identification of microcystin variants of three toxic strains of Microcystis aeruginosa was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analysis of microcystins of the cultured strains revealed that toxin production was variable among different strains of M. aeruginosa isolated either from different blooms or from the same bloom.Junta de Andalucía (CTS358