VARIABILIDADE ESPACIAL DA RESISTÊNCIA MECÂNICA DO SOLO À PENETRAÇÃO NA COLHEITA MECANIZADA DE MILHO PARA SILAGEM

Because it is directly related to plant growth, soil mechanical resistance to penetration (RMSP) has been the physical attribute prioritized in studies that study soil compaction. The objective of this study was to verify if the traffic of machines during the harvest of corn for silage entails the need to prepare the soil for the next crop. The AMSY was evaluated in the layers of 0.0-0.10, 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.30 m by means of a penetrograph and the water content of the soil in the layers 0-0.15 and 0.15-0.30 m, following a sample mesh with 45 points spaced at 20 m, before and after the corn harvest for silage, georeferenced with GPS equipment. The results were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis, analysis of variance and geostatistics. To demonstrate the variability of the attributes, thematic maps were made. The analyzes showed low values ​​of RMSP, with mean values ​​of 2.17 MPa. The traffic of machines during the corn harvest caused an increase in the mechanical resistance of the soil to the penetration, but reached levels below that described as critical limit of root penetration, and there is no need for conventional preparation for implantation of the next crop.Por estar diretamente relacionada ao crescimento das plantas, a resistência mecânica do solo à penetração (RMSP) tem sido o atributo físico priorizado em trabalhos que estudam a compactação do solo. Objetivou-se com esse estudo verificar se o tráfego de máquinas durante a colheita de milho para silagem acarreta na necessidade de preparo do solo para a implantação da próxima cultura. Foi avaliada a RMSP nas camadas de 0,0-0,10, 0,10-0,20 e 0,20-0,30 m por meio de um penetrógrafo e o teor de água do solo nas camadas de 0-0,15 e 0,15-0,30 m, seguindo uma malha amostral com 45 pontos espaçados em 20 m, antes e após a colheita do milho para silagem, georreferenciados com equipamento GPS. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva, análise de variância e geoestatística. Para demonstrar a variabilidade dos atributos foram confeccionados mapas temáticos. As análises mostraram valores baixos de RMSP, com valores médios de 2,17 MPa. O tráfego de máquinas durante a colheita do milho causou incremento da resistência mecânica do solo à penetração, porém atingindo níveis abaixo do descrito como limite crítico de penetração das raízes, não havendo necessidade de preparo convencional para implantação da próxima cultura

Correlation between magnetic resonance imaging and cone-beam computed tomography for maxillary sinus graft assessment

Purpose: Little is known regarding the accuracy of clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols with acceptable scan times in sinus graft assessment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations between MRI and cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) measurements of maxillary sinus grafts using 2 different clinical MRI imaging protocols. Materials and methods: A total of 15 patients who underwent unilateral sinus lift surgery with biphasic calcium phosphate were included in this study. CBCT, T1-weighted MRI, and T2-weighted MRI scans were taken 6 months after sinus lift surgery. Linear measurements of the maximum height and buccolingual width in coronal images, as well as the maximum anteroposterior depth in sagittal images, were performed by 2 trained observers using CBCT and MRI Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine files. Microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) was also performed to confirm the presence of bone tissue in the grafted area. Correlations between MRI and CBCT measurements were assessed with the Pearson test. Results: Significant correlations between CBCT and MRI were found for sinus graft height (T1-weighted, r=0.711 and P<0.05; T2-weighted, r=0.713 and P<0.05), buccolingual width (T1-weighted, r=0.892 and P<0.05; T2-weighted, r=0.956 and P<0.05), and anteroposterior depth (T1-weighted, r=0.731 and P<0.05; T2-weighted, r=0.873 and P<0.05). The presence of bone tissue in the grafted areas was confirmed via micro-CT. Conclusion: Both MRI pulse sequences tested can be used for sinus graft measurements, as strong correlations with CBCT were found. However, correlations between T2-weighted MRI and CBCT were slightly higher than those between T1-weighted MRI and CBCT.peer-reviewe

Bi-segmented regression, factor analysis and AMMI applied to the analysis of adaptability and stability of soybean

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the phenotypic adaptability and stability of the soybeans grown in different environments of Rio Grande do Sul through bissegmented regression analysis, factor analysis and AMMI. The experiment was held in 2013/2014 season in a randomized block design factorial (six environments cultivation × 20 genotypes of soybean), arranged in three replications. The results showed that methods of adaptability and stability have similar responses to the rank of environments. The Tenente Portela -RS, Arroio Grande -RS lowland and coxilha were favorable environments, while Santa Rosa -RS and Campos Borges -RS have been recognized unfavorable for soybean genotypes. Differential responses were obtained for the Sarandi -RS environment, where the factor analysis and regression bissegmented revealed that this is a favorable environment, while the method AMMI indicated negative scores and unfavorable. Genotypes TMG 7161 RR and NA5909 RR were indicated as high productivity and recommended for favorable environments for both methods. To reconcile bissegmented regression, factor analysis and AMMI accurately predicted the best genotypes and environments for soybean. Keywords: Glycine max L., univariate and multivariate analysis, biometrics, breeding. Abbreviations: AMMI_Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis; NPK_nitrogenio/fósforo e potássio; CFA_subtropica; %_percentual; kg ha -1 _kilograms per hectare; m_meters;yij_response of genotype i at j environment; μ_overall average; gi_genotypic effect; ɛj_environmental effect; ʎk_kth singular value of GE (scalar); γik_ith genotype at vector γk; αjk_jth environment; pij_modeler of the GE interaction; ɛ ij _average experimental error; CV_coefficient of variation

Impact of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations on sustained virologic response in HCV-infected patients: Results from the GUARD-C Cohort

BACKGROUND: Despite the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, peginterferon alfa/ribavirin remains relevant in many resource-constrained settings. The non-randomized GUARD-C cohort investigated baseline predictors of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations (sr-RD) and their impact on sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients receiving peginterferon alfa/ribavirin in routine practice. METHODS: A total of 3181 HCV-mono-infected treatment-naive patients were assigned to 24 or 48 weeks of peginterferon alfa/ribavirin by their physician. Patients were categorized by time-to-first sr-RD (Week 4/12). Detailed analyses of the impact of sr-RD on SVR24 (HCV RNA <50 IU/mL) were conducted in 951 Caucasian, noncirrhotic genotype (G)1 patients assigned to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 48 weeks. The probability of SVR24 was identified by a baseline scoring system (range: 0-9 points) on which scores of 5 to 9 and <5 represent high and low probability of SVR24, respectively. RESULTS: SVR24 rates were 46.1% (754/1634), 77.1% (279/362), 68.0% (514/756), and 51.3% (203/396), respectively, in G1, 2, 3, and 4 patients. Overall, 16.9% and 21.8% patients experienced 651 sr-RD for peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, respectively. Among Caucasian noncirrhotic G1 patients: female sex, lower body mass index, pre-existing cardiovascular/pulmonary disease, and low hematological indices were prognostic factors of sr-RD; SVR24 was lower in patients with 651 vs. no sr-RD by Week 4 (37.9% vs. 54.4%; P = 0.0046) and Week 12 (41.7% vs. 55.3%; P = 0.0016); sr-RD by Week 4/12 significantly reduced SVR24 in patients with scores <5 but not 655. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, sr-RD to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin significantly impacts on SVR24 rates in treatment-naive G1 noncirrhotic Caucasian patients. Baseline characteristics can help select patients with a high probability of SVR24 and a low probability of sr-RD with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin

Expressed sequence tags from Atta laevigata and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting ants

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leafcutters are the highest evolved within Neotropical ants in the tribe Attini and model systems for studying caste formation, labor division and symbiosis with microorganisms. Some species of leafcutters are agricultural pests controlled by chemicals which affect other animals and accumulate in the environment. Aiming to provide genetic basis for the study of leafcutters and for the development of more specific and environmentally friendly methods for the control of pest leafcutters, we generated expressed sequence tag data from <it>Atta laevigata</it>, one of the pest ants with broad geographic distribution in South America.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The analysis of the expressed sequence tags allowed us to characterize 2,006 unique sequences in <it>Atta laevigata</it>. Sixteen of these genes had a high number of transcripts and are likely positively selected for high level of gene expression, being responsible for three basic biological functions: energy conservation through redox reactions in mitochondria; cytoskeleton and muscle structuring; regulation of gene expression and metabolism. Based on leafcutters lifestyle and reports of genes involved in key processes of other social insects, we identified 146 sequences potential targets for controlling pest leafcutters. The targets are responsible for antixenobiosis, development and longevity, immunity, resistance to pathogens, pheromone function, cell signaling, behavior, polysaccharide metabolism and arginine kynase activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The generation and analysis of expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>have provided important genetic basis for future studies on the biology of leaf-cutting ants and may contribute to the development of a more specific and environmentally friendly method for the control of agricultural pest leafcutters.</p

Penilaian Kinerja Keuangan Koperasi di Kabupaten Pelalawan

This paper describe development and financial performance of cooperative in District Pelalawan among 2007 - 2008. Studies on primary and secondary cooperative in 12 sub-districts. Method in this stady use performance measuring of productivity, efficiency, growth, liquidity, and solvability of cooperative. Productivity of cooperative in Pelalawan was highly but efficiency still low. Profit and income were highly, even liquidity of cooperative very high, and solvability was good

Juxtaposing BTE and ATE – on the role of the European insurance industry in funding civil litigation

One of the ways in which legal services are financed, and indeed shaped, is through private insurance arrangement. Two contrasting types of legal expenses insurance contracts (LEI) seem to dominate in Europe: before the event (BTE) and after the event (ATE) legal expenses insurance. Notwithstanding institutional differences between different legal systems, BTE and ATE insurance arrangements may be instrumental if government policy is geared towards strengthening a market-oriented system of financing access to justice for individuals and business. At the same time, emphasizing the role of a private industry as a keeper of the gates to justice raises issues of accountability and transparency, not readily reconcilable with demands of competition. Moreover, multiple actors (clients, lawyers, courts, insurers) are involved, causing behavioural dynamics which are not easily predicted or influenced. Against this background, this paper looks into BTE and ATE arrangements by analysing the particularities of BTE and ATE arrangements currently available in some European jurisdictions and by painting a picture of their respective markets and legal contexts. This allows for some reflection on the performance of BTE and ATE providers as both financiers and keepers. Two issues emerge from the analysis that are worthy of some further reflection. Firstly, there is the problematic long-term sustainability of some ATE products. Secondly, the challenges faced by policymakers that would like to nudge consumers into voluntarily taking out BTE LEI

Search for stop and higgsino production using diphoton Higgs boson decays

Results are presented of a search for a "natural" supersymmetry scenario with gauge mediated symmetry breaking. It is assumed that only the supersymmetric partners of the top-quark (stop) and the Higgs boson (higgsino) are accessible. Events are examined in which there are two photons forming a Higgs boson candidate, and at least two b-quark jets. In 19.7 inverse femtobarns of proton-proton collision data at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV, recorded in the CMS experiment, no evidence of a signal is found and lower limits at the 95% confidence level are set, excluding the stop mass below 360 to 410 GeV, depending on the higgsino mass

Severe early onset preeclampsia: short and long term clinical, psychosocial and biochemical aspects

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder commonly defined as de novo hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks gestational age. It occurs in approximately 3-5% of pregnancies and it is still a major cause of both foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide1. As extensive research has not yet elucidated the aetiology of preeclampsia, there are no rational preventive or therapeutic interventions available. The only rational treatment is delivery, which benefits the mother but is not in the interest of the foetus, if remote from term. Early onset preeclampsia (<32 weeks’ gestational age) occurs in less than 1% of pregnancies. It is, however often associated with maternal morbidity as the risk of progression to severe maternal disease is inversely related with gestational age at onset2. Resulting prematurity is therefore the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in patients with severe preeclampsia3. Although the discussion is ongoing, perinatal survival is suggested to be increased in patients with preterm preeclampsia by expectant, non-interventional management. This temporising treatment option to lengthen pregnancy includes the use of antihypertensive medication to control hypertension, magnesium sulphate to prevent eclampsia and corticosteroids to enhance foetal lung maturity4. With optimal maternal haemodynamic status and reassuring foetal condition this results on average in an extension of 2 weeks. Prolongation of these pregnancies is a great challenge for clinicians to balance between potential maternal risks on one the eve hand and possible foetal benefits on the other. Clinical controversies regarding prolongation of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies still exist – also taking into account that preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the Netherlands5 - a debate which is even more pronounced in very preterm pregnancies with questionable foetal viability6-9. Do maternal risks of prolongation of these very early pregnancies outweigh the chances of neonatal survival? Counselling of women with very early onset preeclampsia not only comprises of knowledge of the outcome of those particular pregnancies, but also knowledge of outcomes of future pregnancies of these women is of major clinical importance. This thesis opens with a review of the literature on identifiable risk factors of preeclampsia