Can exascale computing and explainable artificial intelligence applied to plant biology deliver on the United Nations sustainable development goals?

Human population growth and accelerated climate change necessitate agricultural improvements using designer crop ideotypes (idealized plants that can grow in niche environments). Diverse and highly skilled research groups must integrate efforts to bridge the gaps needed to achieve international goals toward sustainable agriculture. Given the scale of global agricultural needs and the breadth of multiple types of omics data needed to optimize these efforts, explainable artificial intelligence (AI with a decipherable decision making process that provides a meaningful explanation to humans) and exascale computing (computers that can perform 1018 floating-point operations per second, or exaflops) are crucial. Accurate phenotyping and daily-resolution climatype associations are equally important for refining ideotype production to specific environments at various levels of granularity. We review advances toward tackling technological hurdles to solve multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and discuss a vision to overcome gaps between research and policy

Can exascale computing and explainable artificial intelligence applied to plant biology deliver on the United Nations sustainable development goals?

Human population growth and accelerated climate change necessitate agricultural improvements using designer crop ideotypes (idealized plants that can grow in niche environments). Diverse and highly skilled research groups must integrate efforts to bridge the gaps needed to achieve international goals toward sustainable agriculture. Given the scale of global agricultural needs and the breadth of multiple types of omics data needed to optimize these efforts, explainable artificial intelligence (AI with a decipherable decision making process that provides a meaningful explanation to humans) and exascale computing (computers that can perform 1018 floating-point operations per second, or exaflops) are crucial. Accurate phenotyping and daily-resolution climatype associations are equally important for refining ideotype production to specific environments at various levels of granularity. We review advances toward tackling technological hurdles to solve multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and discuss a vision to overcome gaps between research and policy

Desenvolvimento Rural e Reconhecimento: tensões e dilemas envolvendo o Pronaf

Resumo: Este artigo objetiva investigar como o Pronaf é definido e avaliado pelo Estado brasileiro a fim de desconstruir qualquer relação de causalidade entre desenvolvimento e reconhecimento que possa existir nas informações sobre o Programa. A metodologia utilizada constitui-se por revisão de literatura e pela pesquisa de dados oficiais sobre o Pronaf, a qual orientou os questionamentos sobre o volume de recursos disponibilizado para o crédito, bem como sobre a distribuição destes entre os grupos de beneficiários e as regiões do País. Como principais resultados, evidencia-se que apenas a redistribuição dos recursos não é suficiente para o reconhecimento dos agricultores

Synthesis of Eugenol-Fluorinated Triazole Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Fungicidal Activity

Eugenol (C10H12O2, 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a phenolic natural product that has several biological activities and possibilities of applications. It is herein described the synthesis of eugenol-fluorinated triazole derivatives and evaluation of their fungicidal activity. The reaction of eugenol with epichlorohydrin resulted in the preparation of (±)-2-((4-allyl-2-methoxyphenoxy)methyl)oxirane (1) in 88% yield. The azidolysis of 1 with sodium azide gave the azido-alcohol (±)-1-(4-allyl-2-methoxyphenoxy)-3-azidopropan-2-ol (2) in 94% yield. The CuAAc reaction between compound 2 and different terminal alkynes afforded a series of eleven derivatives (3a 3k) within 48-80% yield. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C) spectroscopies and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The in vitro inhibitory activity of the compounds on the mycelial growth of a strain of Colletotrichum sp., that causes anthracnose disease on papaya fruits, was evaluated. The best result was observed for compound 1-(4-allyl-2-methoxyphenoxy)-3-(4-(2-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol (3d) that showed a mean growth-inhibition zone of 5.10 mm in a well-diffusion assay, and may serve as a template for additional structural modifications, aiming for more potent fungicidal activity.</div

Análise do processo de exame de grau na pós-graduação stricto sensu Analysis of the process of viva voce in graduate programs of degree by research

O artigo tem por objetivo contribuir para o aprofundamento das discussões acerca da qualidade da pós-graduação stricto sensu no âmbito nacional, a partir de um de seus elementos constituintes: o exame de grau. O exame de grau é discutido de forma teórica, por meio da análise sistematizada de pesquisas nacionais e internacionais relacionadas com o tema. Primeiramente, são discutidos os propósitos de mestrados e doutorados, analisados os objetivos dos exames de grau, investigados os procedimentos e os critérios adotados na avaliação dos exames de grau, apontando seus pontos de vulnerabilidade. A seguir, sistematizam-se e analisam-se as variáveis relacionadas à subjetividade dos elementos decisórios de cada examinador e as influências externas às quais a banca está envolta. Em sua conclusão, ressalta-se o alto nível de heterogeneidade associado ao conhecimento e à percepção dos padrões esperados para a formação de um mestre e um doutor, que influencia sistemicamente no processo de exame de grau. Por fim, os temas sugeridos para a continuação da pesquisa visam buscar maior consistência nos procedimentos de avaliação dos exames de grau e uma avaliação mais equitativa do pós-graduando, contribuindo para a qualidade da pós-graduação stricto sensu.<br>The article aims at contributing to further the discussion about the quality of graduate programs of degree by research in this country, taking into account one of its constitutive elements: the viva voce. The viva is discussed in a theoretical manner through the systematized analysis of national and international studies related to the theme. Firstly, the article discusses the purposes of master and doctorate programs, the objectives of the viva, its procedures and criteria, and then it points out its vulnerable aspects. The variables related to the subjectivity of the decision elements of each examiner are then analyzed, as well as the external influences surrounding the work of the examiners. In its conclusion the article indicates the high degree of heterogeneity associated to the knowledge and perception of the standards expected for the formation of a master or doctor, which influences systemically the process of the viva. Lastly, the themes suggested for the continuity of this line of work aim at improving the consistency of the viva procedures, and at a more equitable assessment of the candidate, thereby contributing to improve the quality of graduate programs of degree by research