Greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiencies for soybeans and maize cultivated in different agronomic zones: A case study of Argentina

Of all human activities, agriculture has one of the highest environmental impacts, particularly related to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, energy use and land use change. Soybean and maize are two of the most commercialized agricultural commodities worldwide. Argentina contributes significantly to this trade, being the third major producer of soybeans, the first exporter of soymeal and soybean oil, and the third exporter of maize. Despite the economic importance of these crops and the products derived, there are very few studies regarding GHG emissions, energy use and efficiencies associated to Argentinean soybean and maize production. Therefore, the aim of this work is to determine the carbon and energy footprint, as well as the carbon and energy efficiencies, of soybeans and maize produced in Argentina, by analyzing 18 agronomic zones covering an agricultural area of 1.53 million km2. Our results show that, for both crops, the GHG and energy efficiencies at the Pampean region were significantly higher than those at the extra-Pampean region. The national average for production of soybeans in Argentina results in 6.06 ton/ton CO2-eq emitted to the atmosphere, while 0.887 ton of soybean were produced per GJ of energy used; and for maize 5.01 ton/ton CO2-eq emitted to the atmosphere and 0.740 ton of maize were produced per each GJ of energy used. We found that the large differences on yields, GHGs and energy efficiencies between agronomic regions for soybean and maize crop production are mainly driven by climate, particularly mean annual precipitation. This study contributes for the first time to understand the carbon and energy footprint of soybean and maize production throughout several agronomic zones in Argentina. The significant differences found in the productive efficiencies questions on the environmental viability of expanding the agricultural frontier to less suitable lands for crop production.Fil: Arrieta, Ezequiel Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Cuchietti, Anibal. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Cabrol, Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Humanidades. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Humanidades; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Alejandro Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

Generalized quantum geometric tensor for excited states using the path integral approach

The quantum geometric tensor, composed of the quantum metric tensor and Berry curvature, fully encodes the parameter space geometry of a physical system. We first provide a formulation of the quantum geometrical tensor in the path integral formalism that can handle both the ground and excited states, making it useful to characterize excited state quantum phase transitions (ESQPT). In this setting, we also generalize the quantum geometric tensor to incorporate variations of the system parameters and the phase-space coordinates. This gives rise to an alternative approach to the quantum covariance matrix, from which we can get information about the quantum entanglement of Gaussian states through tools such as purity and von Neumann entropy. Second, we demonstrate the equivalence between the formulation of the quantum geometric tensor in the path integral formalism and other existing methods. Furthermore, we explore the geometric properties of the generalized quantum metric tensor in depth by calculating the Ricci tensor and scalar curvature for several quantum systems, providing insight into this geometric information

Fast Timing for High-Rate Environments with Micromegas

The current state of the art in fast timing resolution for existing experiments is of the order of 100 ps on the time of arrival of both charged particles and electromagnetic showers. Current R&D on charged particle timing is approaching the level of 10 ps but is not primarily directed at sustained performance at high rates and under high radiation (as would be needed for HL-LHC pileup mitigation). We demonstrate a Micromegas based solution to reach this level of performance. The Micromegas acts as a photomultiplier coupled to a Cerenkov-radiator front window, which produces sufficient UV photons to convert the ~100 ps single-photoelectron jitter into a timing response of the order of 10-20 ps per incident charged particle. A prototype has been built in order to demonstrate this performance. The first laboratory tests with a pico-second laser have shown a time resolution of the order of 27 ps for ~50 primary photoelectrons, using a bulk Micromegas readout.Comment: MPGD2015 (4th Conference on Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detectors, Trieste, Italy, 12 - 15 October, 2015). 5 pages, 8 figure

Criterios para la toma de decisiones en publicidad entre gerentes de marketing: un análisis cualitativo

Several studies mention that experience, feeling and knowledge are the factors that intervene in a purchase decision influenced by advertising stimuli. However, there is little literature exploring the criteria of marketing managers on how they understand how advertising works on individuals. The way of understanding this phenomenon determines their decisions and assessment of advertising effectiveness. This exploratory study aims to identify the criteria behind marketing managers in their advertising decisions and whether they are grounded on a theoretical model or an empirical framework. A qualitative methodology was used, based on interviews to marketing managers from the city of Lima. The qualitative analysis was done using a descriptive coding technique. The results indicate that their decisions are grounded on life experiences, on which they generate their own theoretical models to establish the advertising investment.Diversas investigaciones mencionan que la experiencia, el sentimiento y el conocimiento son los factores que intervienen en una decisión de compra estimulada por la publicidad. Sin embargo, existe poca literatura que explore los criterios entre los gerentes de marketing sobre cómo entienden el funcionamiento de la publicidad sobre las personas. La forma de entender este fenómeno determina sus decisiones y valoración sobre la efectividad publicitaria. Este estudio exploratorio tiene por objeto identificar los criterios detrás de los gerentes de marketing en sus decisiones referidas a publicidad y si estas se basan en un modelo teórico o un marco empírico. Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa, basada en entrevistas a gerentes de marketing de la ciudad de Lima. El análisis cualitativo se hizo mediante una técnica de codificación descriptiva. Los resultados indican que sus decisiones se fundamentan en experiencias de vida, sobre las cuales generan sus propios modelos teóricos para poder establecer la inversión publicitaria

Incidencia de Fusarium verticilloides y Fusarium graminearum en granos de híbridos comerciales de maíz, cosechados en la campaña 2011/2012 en seis localidades de las provincias de Tucumán y Salta

El cultivo de maíz (Zea mays L.) es afectado por patógenos fúngicos que causan podredumbres de grano y espiga. Entre los más frecuentes, se destacan por su importancia Fusarium verticillioides, F. graminearum y Aspergillus flavus ,ya que además contaminan el grano con micotoxinas. Diversas especies de Fusarium pueden dañar las mazorcas antes de la cosecha o los granos de maíz que se almacenan en condiciones inadecuadas, además de producir tizón de plántulas y pudrición de raíces y tallos. Los agentes de Fusarium asociados a la pudrición de mazorca más importantes en el mundo son Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium graminearum, F. proliferatum y F. subglutinans. De todos ellos, F. verticillioides y F. graminearum son los más frecuentes. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar en laboratorio la incidencia de F. verticillioides y F. graminearum en granos de híbridos comerciales de maíz, cosechados en la campaña 2011/2012 de los ensayos de fechas de siembra y macroparcelas realizados por la Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (EEAOC) en diferentes localidades de Tucumán y Salta. La incidencia de Fusarium verticillioides, tanto para los híbridos templados como para los tropicales, osciló de 40 a 45% (valor promedio de los diferentes híbridos evaluados) en las tres fechas de siembra. En los híbridos de mezclas, la incidencia promedio para la primera y segunda fecha fue de 30% y menos del 20% para la tercera fecha. La incidencia de F. graminearum fue menor del 10% para las tres fecha de siembra y para los tres grupos de híbridos en ensayo. En los ensayos de macroparcelas, los valores promedios de incidencia de los patógenos variaron según las diferentes localidades. La incidencia de Fusarium verticillioides en la semilla fue mayor en Rosario de la Frontera (50-75%). En el Azul, Trancas y Monte Redondo se detectaron valores promedios entre 20 y 49% y los menores valores se observaron en Las Lajitas (menos de 20%). La incidencia de F. graminearum fue mayor en Las Lajitas (15-25%), mientras que en el resto de las localidades no superó el 10%.Fil: Aguaysol, N. Catalina. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Victoria. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: de Lisi, Vicente. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Reznikov, Sebastian. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Stegmayer, C. Adolfo. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Henriquez, Diego. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Ploper, Leonardo Daniel. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; Argentin

Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration Secondary to BRAF Mutant Melanoma Metastasis from an Occult Primary Cancer

Melanoma metastasis from an unknown primary cancer has an incidence of 3.2% among melanoma patients. Furthermore, paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are rare, occurring in 1-3% of patients with malignancies. Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is one of the classic PNS and is characterized by acute or subacute onset of ataxia and/or presence of onconeural antibodies. A 61-year-old male with ataxia, vertigo, and headache later developed dysarthria, multidirectional nystagmus, hyperactive delirium, auditory hallucinations, psychomotor agitation, and myoclonus. Toxicological, metabolic, infectious, and autoimmune etiologies were assessed and reported negative. An osteolytic lesion was observed in the right iliac crest via computed tomography (CT). A positron emission tomography-CT reported increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake of a right iliac and right inguinal ganglion. After biopsy of the right inguinal ganglion, a BRAF mutation-positive melanoma metastasis from an occult primary cancer was diagnosed. Dermatologic, ophthalmologic, and endoscopic gastrointestinal assessment did not reveal a primary malignant melanoma. The patient's movement disorders and neuropsychiatric symptoms improved with quetiapine, prednisone, azathioprine, and cyclophosphamide. Oncological management was conducted with MAPK pathway inhibitors (i.e., dabrafenib and trametinib). Movement disorders associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms are complex to diagnose. PNS are rare and often associated with antibodies against neural antigens expressed by the tumor. The case presented above describes a patient with a BRAF-positive malignant melanoma metastasis from an occult primary associated with PCD - to the best of our knowledge, the first reported in the literature.</p

High-Intensity Exercise Reduces Cardiac Fibrosis and Hypertrophy but Does Not Restore the Nitroso-Redox Imbalance in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy refers to the manifestations in the heart as a result of altered glucose homeostasis, reflected as fibrosis, cellular hypertrophy, increased oxidative stress, and apoptosis, leading to ventricular dysfunction. Since physical exercise has been indicated as cardioprotective, we tested the hypothesis that high-intensity exercise training could reverse the cardiac maladaptations produced by diabetes. For this, diabetes was induced in rats by a single dose of alloxan. Diabetic rats were randomly assigned to a sedentary group or submitted to a program of exercise on a treadmill for 4 weeks at 80% of maximal performance. Another group of normoglycemic rats was used as control. Diabetic rat hearts presented cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Chronic exercise reduced both parameters but increased apoptosis. Diabetes increased the myocardial levels of the mRNA and proteins of NADPH oxidases NOX2 and NOX4. These altered levels were not reduced by exercise. Diabetes also increased the level of uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) that was not reversed by exercise. Finally, diabetic rats showed a lower degree of phosphorylated phospholamban and reduced levels of SERCA2 that were not restored by high-intensity exercise. These results suggest that high-intensity chronic exercise was able to reverse remodeling in the diabetic heart but was unable to restore the nitroso-redox imbalance imposed by diabetes

High-Intensity Exercise Reduces Cardiac Fibrosis and Hypertrophy but Does Not Restore the Nitroso-Redox Imbalance in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy refers to the manifestations in the heart as a result of altered glucose homeostasis, reflected as fibrosis, cellular hypertrophy, increased oxidative stress, and apoptosis, leading to ventricular dysfunction. Since physical exercise has been indicated as cardioprotective, we tested the hypothesis that high-intensity exercise training could reverse the cardiac maladaptations produced by diabetes. For this, diabetes was induced in rats by a single dose of alloxan. Diabetic rats were randomly assigned to a sedentary group or submitted to a program of exercise on a treadmill for 4 weeks at 80% of maximal performance. Another group of normoglycemic rats was used as control. Diabetic rat hearts presented cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Chronic exercise reduced both parameters but increased apoptosis. Diabetes increased the myocardial levels of the mRNA and proteins of NADPH oxidases NOX2 and NOX4. These altered levels were not reduced by exercise. Diabetes also increased the level of uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) that was not reversed by exercise. Finally, diabetic rats showed a lower degree of phosphorylated phospholamban and reduced levels of SERCA2 that were not restored by high-intensity exercise. These results suggest that high-intensity chronic exercise was able to reverse remodeling in the diabetic heart but was unable to restore the nitroso-redox imbalance imposed by diabetes