Influence of surfactant-humectant adjuvants on physical properties, droplet size, and efficacy of glufosinate formulations

Glufosinate efficacy is inconsistent among weed species and under environmental conditions that favor rapid droplet drying. Surfactant-humectant adjuvants could maximize glufosinate efficacy by increasing wetting and penetration into the leaf surface while decreasing evaporation rate (ER). However, there is a lack of information in the literature about the interaction of surfactant-humectants adjuvants with glufosinate. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of surfactanthumectant adjuvants on the physical properties, droplet size, and efficacy of two glufosinate formulations. Laboratory, greenhouse, and field studies were conducted at the Pesticide Application Technology Laboratory of the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Treatment design was a 2 × 5 factorial with two glufosinate formulations combined with five adjuvant treatments plus an untreated control. Density and viscosity of glufosinate solutions mostly increased with the addition of adjuvants. However, the influence of the adjuvants on dynamic surface tension (dST), static contact angle (sCA), and evaporation rate (ER) varied by glufosinate formulation, adjuvant, and relative humidity (RH). Under greenhouse conditions, an improvement in efficacy by adding adjuvants was mainly observed for Interline solutions. The addition of adjuvants to Interline solutions increased biomass reduction up to 19 and 35% for common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) and kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott], respectively. Also, some of the adjuvants presented null or antagonistic influence on herbicide efficacy. No increase in control, biomass reduction, and mortality of horseweed (Erigeron canadensis L.) and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) was observed with the use of adjuvants under field conditions. Herbicide-adjuvant-plant-environment interaction is complex. Thus, the use of surfactant-humectant adjuvants may not increase herbicide efficacy

Designing and implementing interdisciplinary projects in a systems engineering master programme

Interdisciplinary projects (IP) carried out by teams of students have been recognized as an important approach for learning in several fields and at several levels of education. In higher education, it can be an important drive for student learning motivation and an advantage for students when entering the working marketplace. The experience acquired while developing IP gives students technical and transversal competences highly relevant for employment but above all give students confidence and a competitive advantage. This paper aims at describing and discussing an experience in carrying out interdisciplinary projects in the context of a System Engineering Master (SEM) programme. First we explore the SEM programme philosophy and organization focussed on IP-based learning and then, for a particular IP course unit of the SEM, the dimensions of project design and specification, project interdisciplinarity, teaching team organization, support to students, project evaluation and individual students’ assessment. The authors argue that the IP learning model adopted in the case here reported is a good example of an IP-based learning at a master degree level.This study had the financial support of COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/201

Analysis of plant LTR-retrotransposons at the fine-scale family level reveals individual molecular patterns

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sugarcane is an important crop worldwide for sugar production and increasingly, as a renewable energy source. Modern cultivars have polyploid, large complex genomes, with highly unequal contributions from ancestral genomes. Long Terminal Repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) are the single largest components of most plant genomes and can substantially impact the genome in many ways. It is therefore crucial to understand their contribution to the genome and transcriptome, however a detailed study of LTR-RTs in sugarcane has not been previously carried out.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sixty complete LTR-RT elements were classified into 35 families within four <it>Copia </it>and three <it>Gypsy </it>lineages. Structurally, within lineages elements were similar, between lineages there were large size differences. FISH analysis resulted in the expected pattern of <it>Gyps</it>y/heterochromatin, <it>Copia</it>/euchromatin, but in two lineages there was localized clustering on some chromosomes. Analysis of related ESTs and RT-PCR showed transcriptional variation between tissues and families. Four distinct patterns were observed in sRNA mapping, the most unusual of which was that of <it>Ale1</it>, with very large numbers of 24nt sRNAs in the coding region. The results presented support the conclusion that distinct small RNA-regulated pathways in sugarcane target the lineages of LTR-RT elements.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Individual LTR-RT sugarcane families have distinct structures, and transcriptional and regulatory signatures. Our results indicate that in sugarcane individual LTR-RT families have distinct behaviors and can potentially impact the genome in diverse ways. For instance, these transposable elements may affect nearby genes by generating a diverse set of small RNA's that trigger gene silencing mechanisms. There is also some evidence that ancestral genomes contribute significantly different element numbers from particular LTR-RT lineages to the modern sugarcane cultivar genome.</p

Estresse no trabalho e hipertensão arterial em mulheres no Estudo Pró-Saúde: Estudo Pró-Saúde (Pro-Health Study)

Con el objetivo de analizar la asociación entre estrés en el trabajo e hipertensión arterial en la población femenina, fue realizado estudio transversal con 1.819 mujeres participantes del Estudio Pro-Salud en Rio de Janeiro, Sureste de Brasil, entre 1999 y 2001. Fue utilizada la versión brasilera de la escala reducida de estrés en el trabajo (modelo demanda-control). La prevalencia global de hipertensión arterial conferida (>;140/90 mmHg y/o uso de medicamento anti-hipertensivo) fue de 24%. Comparadas con participantes con trabajo clasificado como de baja exigencia, las tasas ajustadas de alta exigencia, pasivos y activos, fueron, respectivamente, de 0,93 (IC 95%: 0,72;1,20), 1,06 (IC 95%: 0,86;1,32) y 1,14 (IC 95%: 0,88;1,47). Se sugiere la realización de análisis longitudinales para elucidar el papel de estas características psicosociales del ambiente de trabajo en la determinación de la hipertensión arterial.Com o objetivo de analisar a associação entre estresse no trabalho e hipertensão arterial na população feminina, foi realizado estudo transversal com 1.819 mulheres participantes do Estudo Pró-Saúde no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, entre 1999 e 2001. Foi utilizada a versão brasileira da escala reduzida de estresse no trabalho (modelo demanda-controle). A prevalência global de hipertensão arterial aferida (>;140/90 mmHg e/ou uso de medicação anti-hipertensiva) foi de 24%. Comparadas com participantes com trabalho classificado como de baixa exigência, as razões ajustadas de prevalências de hipertensão arterial de mulheres em trabalhos de alta exigência, passivos e ativos, foram, respectivamente, de 0,93 (IC 95%: 0,72;1,20), 1,06 (IC 95%: 0,86;1,32) e 1,14 (IC 95%: 0,88;1,47). Sugere-se a realização de análises longitudinais para elucidar o papel dessas características psicossociais do ambiente de trabalho na determinação da hipertensão arterial.This study aimed to analyze the association between job strain and hypertension in the female population. A cross-sectional study was performed with 1,819 women who participated in the Estudo Pró-Saúde (Pro-Health Study), in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, between 1999 and 2001. The Brazilian version of the short version of the Job Stress Scale (demand-control model) was used. Overall prevalence of measured hypertension (>;140/90 mmHg and/or antihypertensive drug use) was 24%. Compared to participants with jobs classified as low strain, adjusted prevalence ratios for hypertension in women who performed passive and active high-strain jobs were, respectively, 0.93 (95% CI: 0.72;1.20), 1.06 (95% CI: 0.86;1.32) and 1.14 (95% CI: 0.88;1.47). Longitudinal analyses should be performed to clarify the role of these work environment psychosocial characteristics as a determinant of hypertension

O pó cerâmico como aditivo alternativo no restauro de argamassas históricas: o caso da Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Amparo de São Cristóvão SE/BR / Ceramic powder as an alternative additive in the restoration of historic mortars: the case of Nossa Senhora do Amparo Church In São Cristóvão SE/BR

Na conservação e restauro das categorias patrimoniais e, em específico, do patrimônio cultural material, os tratamentos técnicos das degradações que ocorrem nos objetos portadores de juízo de valor histórico e estético ensejam a busca dos conhecimentos construtivos do passado e do presente, além do entendimento do saber técnico e dos materiais de como essa edificação foi realizada. Este trabalho demonstra os resultados da pesquisa desenvolvida na área da Tecnologia da Conservação e Restauro no Programa de Iniciação Científica da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (Projeto PIBIC- PVF6309-2018), no qual foram analisadas características das argamassas presentes em edificações históricas, no caso a argamassa da Igreja de N. Sa do Amparo na Cidade de São Cristóvão, interior do Estado de Sergipe, com o intuito de conhecer a produção de argamassas antigas e buscar alternativas para “curar” patologias relacionadas a fenômenos como umidades, cristalizações, “leprosidades” e outros agentes aos quais os objetos patrimoniais estão suscetíveis. Neste contexto, estudar e analisar traços de argamassas de restauração/complementação aditivadas com pó cerâmico buscando novas possibilidades no tratamento destas anomalias junto com o aprendizado da história das argamassas, promove não apenas o registro histórico do patrimônio, mas também possibilidades de revisitar ofícios tradicionais no fazer das edificações do passado

Green synthesis of carbon nanotubes impregnated with metallic nanoparticles: Characterization and application in glyphosate adsorption

In the present work, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used as support material for the impregnation of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) produced by green synthesis. The influences of the plant extracts (pomegranate (Punica Granatum), Eucalyptus, and pecan (Carya illinoinensis, leaves), metal species (copper and iron), metallic concentrations, and type of functionalization (OH and COOH) on the characteristics of the obtained materials were studied. The precursor and impregnated MWCNTs were characterized through X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, point of charge, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms and, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. All the synthesized materials were tested as adsorbents to remove glyphosate (GLY) in an aqueous medium. The MWCNTs were resistant to withstand the synthesis process, preserving its structure and morphological characteristics. The copper and iron on the surface of MWCNTS confirm the successful synthesis and impregnation of the MNPs. The MWCNTs impregnated with high metallic concentrations showed favorable adsorption of GLY. The adsorption capacity and percentage of removal were 21.17 mg g−1 and 84.08%, respectively, for the MWCNTs impregnated with iron MNPs using the pecan leaves as a reducing agent. The results indicated that an advanced adsorbent for GLY could be obtained by green synthesis, using MWCNTs as precursors and pecan leaves as a reducing agent

Short version of the "job stress scale": a Portuguese-language adaptation

OBJECTIVE: To describe the adaptation to Portuguese of the short version of the "job stress scale", originally in English. METHODS: We evaluate six aspects of equivalence between the original scale and the Portuguese version: conceptual, semantic, operational, item, measurement, and functional equivalences. A reliability test-retest study was conducted with 94 selected subjects. RESULTS: Reproducibility (interclass correlation coefficients) for the 'demand', 'control', and 'social support' dimensions of the scale was estimated at 0.88, 0.87, and 0.85, respectively. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) estimates for these same dimensions were 0.79, 0.67, and 0.85, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the adaptation of the scale was successful, and indicate that its use in the sociocultural context of the studied population (Pró-Saúde survey) is appropriate.OBJETIVO: Descrever o processo de adaptação, para o português, da versão resumida da "job stress scale", originalmente elaborada em inglês. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados seis aspectos de equivalência entre a escala original e a versão para o português: as equivalências conceitual, semântica, operacional, de itens, de medidas e funcional. Tomou-se por base um estudo de confiabilidade teste-reteste com 94 indivíduos selecionados. RESULTADOS: O estudo de confiabilidade teste-reteste entre 94 indivíduos permitiu estimativas de reprodutibilidade (coeficientes de correlação intraclasse) para as dimensões de "demanda", "controle" e "apoio social" da escala de 0,88, 0,87 e 0,85, respectivamente. Para as mesmas dimensões, as estimativas de consistência interna (alpha de Cronbach) foram, respectivamente, 0,79, 0,67 e 0,85. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados sugerem que o processo de adaptação da escala foi bem sucedido, indicando que seu uso no contexto sociocultural da população de estudo (Estudo Pró-Saúde) é apropriado

Risk Factors for Death in Children with Visceral Leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a deadly disease caused by a protozoan called Leishmania. It is transmitted to humans from infected animals by a sandfly bite. Most people actually manage to control the infection and do not get sick, while others develop a range of symptoms. VL impairs the production of blood components and causes the immune system to malfunction, thus anemia, bleeding, and bacterial infections often complicate the disease and can lead to death. To identify risk factors for death from VL, the authors studied 546 children in a referral center in Recife, Brazil. They looked at clinical history, physical examination and full blood counts on the assumption these could be easily assessed in peripheral health facilities. They found that the presence of fast breathing, jaundice, mucosal (e.g. gum) bleeding and bacterial infections would each increase the risk of death in three to four-fold. The presence of very low counts of neutrophils and platelets would increase the risk of death in three and 12-fold respectively. This knowledge can help clinicians to anticipate the use of antibiotics or transfusion of blood products in high risk patients, who would potentially benefit from transfer to centers with advanced life support facilities

Ensinando a Computação por meio de Programação com App Inventor

A partir da proximidade de alunos do Ensino Fundamental com smartphones, uma forma cativante de ensinar computação pode ser pela programação de aplicativos móveis. Assim, o objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar o design instrucional de uma oficina para ensinar a programação de aplicativos com a ferramenta App Inventor alinhada ao currículo de referência ACM/CSTA K-12. A unidade instrucional foi aplicada em duas turmas de uma escola pública em Florianópolis/SC e apresentou resultados significativos em termos da aprendizagem, facilidade e experiência de aprendizagem, promovendo um grande efeito instigador e despertando o interesse de alunos a aprender a programação

Identification of earlier predictors of pregnancy complications through wearable technologies in a Brazilian multicentre cohort : Maternal Actigraphy Exploratory Study I (MAES-I) study protocol

Introduction Non-invasive tools capable of identifying predictors of maternal complications would be a step forward for improving maternal and perinatal health. There is an association between modification in physical activity (PA) and sleep–wake patterns and the occurrence of inflammatory, metabolic, pathological conditions related to chronic diseases. The actigraphy device is validated to estimate PA and sleep–wake patterns among pregnant women. In order to extend the window of opportunity to prevent, diagnose and treat specific maternal conditions, would it be possible to use actigraphy data to identify risk factors for the development of adverse maternal outcomes during pregnancy? Methods and analysis A cohort will be held in five centres from the Brazilian Network for Studies on Reproductive and Perinatal Health. Maternal Actigraphy Exploratory Study I (MAES-I) will enrol 400 low-risk nulliparous women who will wear the actigraphy device on their wrists day and night (24 hours/day) uninterruptedly from 19 to 21 weeks until childbirth. Changes in PA and sleep–wake patterns will be analysed throughout pregnancy, considering ranges in gestational age in women with and without maternal complications such as pre-eclampsia, preterm birth (spontaneous or provider-initiated), gestational diabetes, maternal haemorrhage during pregnancy, in addition to perinatal outcomes. The plan is to design a predictive model using actigraphy data for screening pregnant women at risk of developing specific adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes